
Class.. ^.6ii^_ 

Book J 

Copyright 1^^ _ 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 





y^i^^uc^ 




Three Score and Eleven 

BEING 

Addresses and miscellaneous writings, clipped 

from various publications and printed for 

gratuitous distribution amongst 

relatives, friends and those 

to whom he is indebted 

for similar favors, 

WITH A PREFACE BY 

Hon. D. M. DeWITT, 

His business associate from 1868 to 1872, 



BY 



WILLIAM LOUNSBERY. 












Kingston, N. Y. 

1904. 






LIBRARY nf CONGRESS 
Two Copies Received 

JUN 17 1904 
Cooyrlght Entry 

CLJ^SS a, XXo. No. 

COPY B 



Copyright, 1904, 
By William Lounsbery, 



PREFACE. \^ 



Here we have the record of a life, spent for the most part amid 
the peaceful scenes of the county of Ulster, yet darting out on all 
sides into the world of active achievement : a life of seventy-one 
years along "the cool sequestered waya," yet ever busy, full of 
variety and in constant touch with outside events that make up 
history. Autobiographicaliu th*i? strict sense of the word, it is not; 
but consists of a stringing together on the slightest thread of chro- 
nology of the writings and speeches of the author : an autobiogra- 
phy of the intellect. Such a collection might be criticised as too 
egotistical, were it not made, as I understand, like Shakespeare's 
"sugared sonnets," for distribution among "private friends." 

Beginning in college days, when the author was but in his 
twentieth year, with three orations on subjects familiar to the young 
student; passing into early active life with its newspaper editorials 
on political topics and events of the times; it terminates the 
period of young manhood with an ambitious and interesting lecture 
on the younger Vane. Then come lucubrations growing out of the 
civil war in which the author at its outset was a participant ; and 
these are succeeded by a series of miscellaneous productions, which 
brings us to the culminating point of manhood— signalized, in this 
instance, by entrance upon official life. There are no speeches made 
in the Assembly of the State for the year 1868, of which our author 
was a member ; but there is an interesting supply illustrative of his 
career in the forty-sixth Congress (79-80), including one on the 
counting of the electoral votes for President and Vice-President, 
which well deserves and will reward perusal. We have, also, an 
inaugural address as Mayor of the city of Kingston and two messa- 
ges to the Common Council. The volume closes with reminiscences 
of foreign travel— a recreation indulged in by our author after his 
retirement from public station. 

It should be called to mind, that during this long period, that is. 



IV 



from the year 1853 up to the present, the collector of these pieces 
was immersed in the active practice of the law ; these varied pro- 
ductions being thrown off in the leisure moments of fifty years' 
steady devotion to that exacting profession. Of the countless ad- 
dresses to juries, of the countless arguments before courts, there is 
no record here, because the one class usually perishes with the hear- 
ing, and the other crystalizes into the meagre form of briefs pub- 
lished in the reports. For example, there are twenty-eight cases 
in the appellate courts of this State, reported at length in the books, 
in which lawyer Lounsbery was counsel on one side or the other*. 

After all, the true aim of such a collection as this is to give 
oneself an abiding sense of the continuity of one's life. Ordinarily, 
the recollection of the myriad incidents of a man's life is fragmen- 
tary and confused ; and a compilation of the productions of the 
mind at various stages clears up the vista and builds up along the 
course points of vantage on which the memory may pause in making 
its lengthened survey, to take its bearings. In the present instance, 
the compiler is to be congratulated that, as the fruit of his labor, he 
will not only be able to realize his life of fifty years of bustle, strife, 
business and pleasure with greater vividness and coherency, but he 
will experience the pleasing consciousness of having, for others as 
well as himself, planted torches at points all along the devious 
track, for local illumination not only, but, also, to establish a per- 
manent and continuous line of light. 

D. M. DeWITT. 

Kingston, March 19, 1904. 



(* Reported Cases keperred to in the Preface.) 

Lounsbery v. Snyder, 31 N. Y., 514; Van Hoevanbergh v. Has- 
brouck, 45 Barb., 197; Ean v. Snyder, 46 Barb., 331; Hamilton v. 
Wright, 37 N. Y., 502; Simmons v. Cloonan, 2 Lansing, 346; The 
People V. Schryver, 42 N. Y., 1; Howk v. Eckert, 2 Hun, 113; 
Kelley v. Fallhook Co., 4 Hun, 261; Cole v. Van Keuren, 4 Hun, 
262; Howk V. Bishop, 10 Hun, 509; People exrel. Van Keuren, 10 
Hun, 551; Simmons v. Cloonan, 47 N. Y., 3; Fraysier v. Gibson. 
15 Hun, 37; People ex rel. Van Keuren, 74 N Y., 310; People v. 



Willett, 36 Hun, 500; Winne v. Ulster Co. Savings Institution, '67 
Hun, 349; O'Reilly v. City of Kingston, 39 Hun, 285; Gowdy v. 
Cordts, 40 Hun, 469; Hasbrouck v. Burhans, 42 Hun, 376; Decatur 
V. Goodrich, 44 Hun, 3; O'Reilly v. City of Kingston, 114 N. Y., 
459; Gross v. Cloonan, 81 N. Y., 557; Scliaffer v. Riseley, 44 Hun, 
6, 631 ; Donohue V. Hummel, 17 St. Rep., 994; Donohue v. Hummel, 
1 Supp., 401; Schrowang v. Sahler, 17 St. Rep., 593; Schrowang v. 
Sahler, 2 Supp., 140; Donohue v. Whitney, 37 St. Rep., 706; Dono- 
hue V. Whitney, 15 Supp., 622; Donohue v. Whitney, 133 N. Y., 
178; New Haven Clock Co. v. Hubbard, 40 St. Rep, 654; New 
Haven Clock Co. v. Hubbard, 16 Supp., 125; The People v. Ter- 
williger, 74 Hun, 310; The People v. Terwilliger, 56 St. Rep., 255; 
The People v. Terwilliger, 26 Supp., 674; The People v. Terwilli- 
ger, 142 N. Y., 629; The People v. Terwilliger, 60 St. Rep., 866. 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



PAGE. 

Sketch of Family and Suroame 1- 7 

Oration before College Bible Society 8- 11 

Valedictory Peithersophian Society 12- 18 

English Salutatory 19- 23 

Leading Editorials 23- 45 

Lecture — Sir Henry Vane the Younger .46- 69 

Editorial Comments 69- 74 

The Ulster Regiment 75- 93 

Agricultural Society Address 94-104 

In Memory of Colonel Pratt 105-108 

Carrier's Address, 1863 109-113 

In Memory of Judge Brodhead 114-117 

Carrier's Address, 1866 118-120 

The Fourth at Andes 121-139 

The Old Pine Tree 130-131 

Winnesook— The Big Indian 133-137 

Historical Addreps, 1876 138-154 

Congressional Speeches 155-301 

Carrier's Addresses 1876, 1878 303-211 

Mayor's Inaugural 313-314 

Veto Message 315-330 

Message, 1879 331-334 

The Blarney Stone 335-336 

Nationality of Slang 236-337 

The Snug Little Island 238-339 

The Lord Mayor of London 330-232 

Table D'Hote 233-335 

Our Baggage in the Custom House 335-338 

Art and Artists 238-245 

A Boomerang Joke 341 



VUl 

04.0 243 

The Child and the Stars ... 

. . . . . 244 

Ascription 24fi '>48 

The Burning of Kingston !* "1„ 

Public Improvements „^o o^a 

Our First Governor ,,„ „«o 

^„.„ -, . 257-250 

The Wilbur Fair 



SKETCH OF FAMILY AND SURNAME. 



^VilMam Loimsibery was born Decemiber 25, 1S31, at Stone 
Ridge, in tlie town of Marblatown, Ulster Oonnty, New York; 
his father was Joihn Lonns'beiy, and liis inoithier Saralh Peters; hie 
had oiiiC elder bro'ther w^io niiarried Jane Crisipell, and died in 
1877; itwo 'eldei- si|siters, Maria Margaret, w<lioi married Jolin 
Winficid, E'lizatot'h, whta married Joihn N. Pink; itWO' younger 
sisters, Ruth, who married Jolm A. Elmeaidorf, aaiid Sarah, who 
man-ied John fTa,sbe'ck DeWitt. 

His fatbea', Joilin Lounisibeiy, M^ais the son of Riohiard Loiin's- 
bery, who was tb© soar of Edward Louns'bery, a oaiptain of the 
Third Reigimemlt of tilie line in Itlhe Reivolmltiom, who wias a soin 
of Ri+zert (Riiehard) Loamsbely;, born 1838, wlioi was a son of 
Ritzert, avIio was l)orn ia;boii(t 1700, and moved from New York 
to Marbletown about 1725, a-nd married Elizabeth Shammers; who 
wais tlie son of Richand Loiinsebry, 1. 

Riclnard Lounsbei-y, 1, left 'the folloimng children by his wife 
Elizabeth DuBois : Thomas, Jolhiii, Michael, Heiniy and Ridhai'd. 

Governor Phineias C. Lounsbiuy, Presiident of tlhje Mercbanlts 
Exchange jSTaltional Bank, is 'tlie son of jSTaitham, son of Enios, son 
of Natlian, son of Heniy, son of Ridliard, 1, 

1 lie hard P. Loiuinsbery, Esq., itbe bro'keii',, is ithie son of 
Stephen, son of Xeliemiali, son of Miohaeli, son of Richard, 1. 

•''I'he Richard Lounsbery (of Marbtetoivn) soldier of 1738, 
must hiave been the son (oa- grand) ision of Richand, 1, and wa.s 
in 'the right place aind at tlie riglit time, to bajvei been the gather 
of Oapt. Edward Lounlsbery, who, without a doubt in my mind, 
was your great-gTandfather" (Teetor). 

Riiliard, 1, could A\Titei: we havie a copy of Ms signaiture to 
deeds. He Aya.s probably too sick to write bis name to Ms will. 



VilLL OF RICHAED LOUNSBERY. 
(Book B., page 188, White. Plaims Land Record.) 

I, Ricbard Lomisibery, being sick lamd weak, but in perfect 
memioiy, do see cause to- sot my bousie in order als fo'lloiweth. 1st., 
1 o-ive unto my mfe Elizabelfch and two eldesit sonns foresoore 
pounds in laud and meadoAV lying off itlie east s.ide. of Blink 
Brook, aud to my wife I give her bed and some smia;!! reversions 
of Pe'ivter. Unto my daugh'ter Mary, I give a piece, of land 
lying at itbe atber side oif Beaver swamp coming do'wu to tbe 
Swamp, t'Wo great chargers of Pewiter, t^vo' Peiwiter platters, next 
to tiieui aud two lesser platters, aud a fiaiggon and a ooiw, and to 
Joihn I give one bed, and to my two iSiouus Thomias and my sonn 
Michael a.11 my right at White Plainsi & t\TO cows, aud to my 
,sonu Henry my right in thei Raccoon ridge and all my right 
thereito to Laime Wills purchase, aud for my soun Richard I re- 
quire bis tenn pounds when his time is out accordiug to bargain 
and my two year old liorse & steers. Goods, in my o\Yn custody. 
And after my death ^yhialt i® left after just deibts are paiid I do 
will fclvat my three younigeslt sonns have it, aud this tO' be my 
last will in testimony I imtve caused this to be made, als; witness 
my hand the 2nd day of January, 1690. 

RICHARD LOUNSBERY. 
Witness in ye presence of his X mark. , 

JOHN LYON 

The mark of ■ • 

]MARTHA X MILLS. 

RICHARD LOUNSBERY, OF MARBLETOWN, ULSTER 
COUNTY, NEW YORK, 1738. 

TIjfis name appear® upon a roll of the foot Company of 
Militia of Marbletoiwn, Ulster Co., under the command of C&.p- 
t'ain Dnniel Brodhead (in a toital of 80 names). See "Documen- 
tary History of New York," Vol. IV, page 151. 

Captain Edward Lounsberry, Marbletown, Ulster Co., N. Y., 
(see Calendar of N/ew York Historical Mianusicripts, Revolution- 
ary papers. Vol. I, page 35, and Vol. II, pagete 12, 20, 34, 39, 49 
and 5?). . \ 



Edward Lounisibeiy, 1st Lieutenant, ''aai excelleu/t officer, 
would make a verj^ good Captain, and we recommend him ais sucli." 
Upon tihe above recomanend'ation by E,ud Eitzenm, Colonel of 
the Third New York Conitinenital Forces, Lieuteniant Edward 
Lounsbery was promoted to Captain in said Eegiment November 
21, 1776. 

I/.'^u'tenant Edward Loimisbenry wa& a reci'uiting officer for 
Ulster Coiunity duiing the Revolutionary war, aippoimted by the 
Committee of the Convenition of NciW York. 

Upon page 195, Vol. XV, '"Documents relating to the Colonial 
His'toj'y of the Sitate of Neiw York — The Revodutioin," may be 
seen the follomng: "Eighth Cotopany, seciond Regimeiht, New 
York Line: — ^LounsbeiTy, Edftvard, Caiptiain Lieut., in Ritzema's in 
177G. Captain Nov. 21, 1776, resigned Oct. 15, 1778, Marbletown, 
Ulste-.' Co.; died about 1809." 

' ORIGIN OF THE SURNAME AND FAMILY OF 

LOUNSBERY. 

Tliis surname seems literally the '"^lanor or Fortress De 
Lond or De Laud," and carries with it the fundamental signifi- 
cance of Soverigmty, inasmuch as at that early period in Anglo- 
Norman history (tlie 11th, 12th and 13th Centui'ies particularly), 
land owners were Land-Lords in the' best senses of tliaJt com- 
pound word. 

Its first a.i5pearanice as tlie name of a locality in England was 
in Yorkshire. It is foiuid in Domesday Book (compiled by Wil- 
liam the Coiuqueror in 1086-87), where it is written Lodemsburg. 
It is still the name of a town tliere called Lonideslborough, and 
marks the site of Dalgovitia, the name of a Roman sitation, 
known ito have been there 1,000 years before the Normain' Con- 
quest of England. 

WILLIAM De LONDESBURGH, A. D., 1135. 

The Chm"ch of "Lonesburgh or Lonebeurg," Yoi'kshire, Eng- 
land, was granted to William De Loaiieisburgh by Stephen, King 
of England, from 1135 to 1154. 

This William Avas also Treasurer of the Cluu-ch of York. He 
had a brother Herbert, who had a son Herbert, •who had a son 



Peter, vvJio had a. son Reginald de^ Loiiesburgh,. who died A. D., 
1286, leaving a son John De Londes'burg, KnigM. 

Til*, above nio,te« Avere taken from Suiltee's Society Publica- 
tions, Volume 49. In this volume may 'be «een the following 
different spellings of thei surname Lounis-biuy or Lounsbery: 

Lodensburg, Lownesburg, Leonebergh, Lavvdensbrough, 
Lomsbnrgh, Londbeiu-, Loimesbomigli, Londeboroiigli, Lonne«- 
burgh, Londsbnrg. 

[The above genmtogy of Pvidhard Lounsbeiry, 1, is taken 
froan reseaaX;h,es furnis'bed by Henry Dmlley Teetor, La.wyea- and 
geneialogiisit.] 

Edward Lomiis'bery 1ml by his first wife Eliaatoefch Kater four 
children: John, Richard. Jacob and Ca/tharine. He also had by 
second wife Jamette Dubois seven children: Louis, Henry Dubois, 
Ebenezer. Plvilip, Elizalbeth, Nancy, Jane. 

Richard Lounsbea'y, the son of Edwaa'd, had six cliildren: 
Joliu, Peter. Richard, Maria, Bstlier, Elizabeth. 

John Lounsbery,, Ithe son of Richand, had six children: .Maria 
ilai-garet, Riclia.rd, Elizalbf^th, WilMani, Ruth. Sairah. 

William Loimisbury, the son of John, liad by his first wife 
Catherine Eaman, one child, Oathaiine; arid by hk .secon.l Nxife, 
Alice VanBm'en, one child, EMzabetb AdeMne. 

[Burhans Family, by Samueil Budians.] 

William Lounsbery, bo,rn 25th December, 1831, son of JSarah 
Peteais, born, 9th July. 179G. maa-ried 1824. John I^nnsbery. born 
14th April, 1803. Sarah Peiter^s Was daughlter of William Peters, 
baptize<l 24th Jamiai-y, 1773. died 8bh Febrnaa-y, 1814, married 
Margaret HasOjronck. Dr. A\'illiam Peters was son of ilaria 
VanWagenen, ba,ptize<l 29th June, 1754. nrarried by s'tate li- 
cense dated 2Gth No^-emiber, 1772, Dr. Benjamin Peters. Mmia 
VanWagen.er was danghter of Elizabeth Bmhans. baptized 24th 
\u..ust, 1718, married (first, 5tli Octoiber, 1730, Peter O^terhondt), 
second, Johannes VanWagenen, born 18th Nov., 1723. Elizabeth 
Bui-bans ua.s daughter of Parent Burhans, ba,ptized April 24, 
1G81, mari-ied .Mangart^t Maitthyseni, baiitized Utili Janiiaay, 1G84. 
Barc'nt Burlians was .son of Jan Burhaas u^io .xrriml in America 
10th April, lG(i3, in ship '-Bonte Koc," mariied Helena Trap- 



hiageii. Jan Biu'liaiiis. wiais son of Jaco'b Burlians. wilio caiino to 
America abouit KiOO. In ^larcli 28, IGGO, he appe^aa'iS a« a -soltlicr 
iu the Neifcherlands' service in the Esopus; name of wife unknown. 

WILLlAil LOUNSBERY. 

I Erom Life Sketches, 1868, N. Y. State Officers,] 

ill'. Eounjibery represents tlie Eirsit Asisembly Dis'triut e>f the 
county of Ulsiter. He was bora in ithe 'town of ^larbletown, iu 
that eoiunty, December 25, 183E His paternail ancestors are of 
Welcli desiceuit, and iso'me of tliem were aauoni"' the ©arliesit settlers 
of Ulster county. Nearly all of tlie name no'w living in this coun- 
iry itrace their oaigin to the Ulster famdlj'. A great uncle 
(Colonel John Loumsibery) wia.s a memiber of the Seniaite, ami of 
the Council of Appointment, (luring the gaiibernatorial atlministra- 
tion of De Witt Clinton; another greiat uncle (Ool. Efbenezer 
Lounsbery) was a memiber of the Senalte iu 1838, '39. Both 
serv'e'd in the \Aar of 1812, in \\hich the 3^ a'ccjuired their military 
I'ank. His father, Jodru Loiunsbeiy, was a member of the As- 
sembly in 1853, and wa!s ckissed as a. Hunker, in the polSitical 
divisions of the Democracy of that 2>eriad. 

Mr. Louuisbery luais enjoj'ed excellemt educaltional advantages, 
iwhich he has not failed to improve. He graduated, in 1851, at 
Eutgers College, oibtaining 'the third honor of the graduating 
claiss. He sltudied law at the LaKv School^ of the University of 
the city of Albany, and was adimitbed tO' practice in 1853; and 
immediaitely openeil au office in the \illage of Kingston. By his 
careful prepara'tion of. an,d faithful atitemtiom to, the causes at 
tii'st entruisiteid to hiiui, he soon obtaiued thiei eonfidence of the 
])ublic and a. handsome share of business. About two years 
since he entered into cof[oartnership witli Hon. Erastiis Cooke, of 
Kingston, and the laiw firm of Cooke & Lounsbery now occupies 
a conimaniding iposliition at the Ulster bar, and does a very large 
share of its busines.s. 

ilr. Lounsibery hias been connected with the ediltoiial fra- 
ternity, haiVing been from 1857 to 18(J1, astsiociated with Mr. S. S. 
Honiniel in the jii'oprietorship of the Ulster Eefpu)blican> — now 
the Kingstoni Argus — then, as now. the recognlizeid organ of the 
Denioci-acy of Ulsiter county. Thiis was a period of sharp polit- 
ical controvei'sy, and Mr. Lounsbery. in such intervails of leisure 



6 

as wei'e allowed him hj life pix^fession, entei-'eid into the cooitests 
of that period with spirit and zeal. His editorial articles, like 
his eflfonts at tlie bar, were niai-ked by smoothness ami elegaiiee 
of ^tyle, clearness, directness and force, and added greatly to the 
effectiveness of that journal, asi a party organ. Mr. Lounsbea-y 
is no mere slave ito his profeission. He finds time to glean in 
the broad fields of general literatm-e, and hence he naturally be- 
came a member of the Ulster County Historical Society, and took 
grealt interest in preparing papers to be read before it. The 
same literary tasiteis led iiim to accept invitaltions to make ad- 
dresses before the Kingston Literary Associations, and the Ulster 
County Agricultural Society. All of ithese literaiy productions 
exhibit fine scholarly tastes and aittainments ; a clear and prac- 
tical habit of thought, and great felicity of expression. 

With this large and varied experience in law, poliltios and lit- 
eratm-e, backed by ^a laudable ambition and an ardent tempera- 
ment, j\Ir. Lounsbery naturally became a leading inemiber in the 
present Assembly. He was selected as a candidate by the 
Democracy of his party with greiat unanimity, and was elected 
bv the large'st majoiity ever given- in the District for the same 

office. 

His aibilitiies were appreciated at Albany as well as at home, 
in the organization of the Committees of tlie Assembly. He is 
chairman of the Judiciary Committee, a position of great re- 
sponsibility. He is also a member of the Committee on Claims. 
He gives the clOsesit attention to legislative matters, and evi- 
dently intends to make himself entirely familiar with thie inter- 
ests and needs of the Empire State. He is fond of social enjoy- 
menlts .that pan-take of a litea^ary charaoter, is well fitted to take 
part in conversation, and greatly delights in a good joke or a 
witty repartee. 

FIFTEEN,TH DISTRICT. 
[From Directory 4Gth Congress.] 
Counties. — Greene, Schoharie and Ulster. 

William Lounsbery of Kingston, ^^•as born at Stone Ridge, 
New York, December 25, 1831; graduated at Rutgers College in 
1851; alttended the Law Department of the Now York Univea-sity 



at Allbany, and was admitited as an attornieiy and oounisellor in 
1853, and hasi simcei been engaged in fclie pradtice of laiw; wais 
Commissary of thie' T«''entietfli Eegiment of New York Militia, 
with the r'ank of Firsit lieutenant, during ifei three months' ser- 
A'ice; wais a memiber of tbe Neiw York As'semhly in 1868, and 
Ohairnian of the Oommititee on the Judiciary; 'Was elected Mayor 
of the Oity of Kingiston in March, 1878, for tlie term of two 
years; and was eledted to the Forty-sixth Congreisis as a Demo- 
crat, receiving 13,680 voteis against 11,442 vote's for George S. 
Nidho'ls, Republican, 3,524 votes for Joihni R. Erkson, National, 
140 votes for J. H. Coutauit, Prohibitionist, and 49 scattering 
votes. 



(From ReminiiseenceB' of College Days.) 

AN ORATION 

Delivered at live Aimivervsary of tli^e nxitgev, Coltege Bible So- 
eieity. May 26th, 1851. 

THE BIBLE THE BEST GUIDE OF THE 

STATESMAN. 

r,v William Lounsl)ery of Stoiw Tvido-e. X,. \. 



It is a estrange an.l pr^vakrtt era-or, that the elaams and 
interests of Christira^ty, belong ,soHy to Ithe derical profession 
If at tlids tim<^ it wa^ heard tli.tt this i^aitiou AVas to be deprived 
of its religion. e.very patriot ami ^tate.>man xvould >.taa.t from his 
seat, trembling for the interests of bis eounitry and Im liberty 
Thouoii all are convinced of tte bulwarks, that the ti-uths of 
Christianity and the Bible, have itihrowii around ithe institutions of 
freedom, yet fmv atteM to its pre«pts or aid in its diffi^ion,. 
The jurist,, when he h'ais enriched Ms mind in every legal form, 
.and becmnes skilled in ingenius craft and a-eiined policy, thinks 
himself complete in his profession, and leaves tbis. volume, the 
source of every sonnd law, to the undisturbed po,Bsession of tliose 
.hose ix^culiar calling devotes them tx> its study. The Legislator, 
v-hen lie bas stored bimself xNitb the lalws of anitiqmty, wben he 
has become practiced in the intrigues of diplomaey, and prepared 
to the usual idea of an enlightened politician, ,willl satisfy hiscon- 
^.cience and meet the fa.w of men by prudently and waanly actmg 
up to this, crafty line of policy. Not one thougbt will he and 
the world give to that .source. Avhich a-lone can supply and aeguktte 
the system they have started. 

Man is ever ready to Itni'sit to his o^^m powers. He^ supposes, 



9 

that by liis mgejiuity, wthioh hais surmouiDted the greiateisit difficul- 
ties, liaiws can be devised, that will hold the passions in chetek, and 
regiilate by a perfect system, all our acitions with one another. 
But expeiuenoe has shown fully that if the feiaa- of God be eradii- 
calted from a coniimunity, selfishn^ess and sensuality will absorb 
the whole man. Appetite, knowing no reistraliiiit, will trample in 
•seoirn on the resiti'aints of law, and the wisest forms of human 
polity will beeoime, like a rope of sand, 'to he 'wasihed away by 
eA'ery storm thait agitates the mind of community. The heaithen 
nations of tire most remote j^eriods, i>eroeiA'ed thei utter impossi- 
bility of i-eigitlating the adtions of ithe mulltitude by nuerei human 
wisdom. Ancient Egypt, with lall hei- philosophers, wasoibliged 
to acknowledge a 'hlighei- poiwer, upon whicih to basie and einforoe 
her laws. In every heathen land, we find them praying for pro- 
tedtion and assisltanoe and sacrificing 'to the Gods of their smper- 
stiition; anid thoug'h ignorant of him. who uphoMeth all things by 
the word of his power, they still perceived and acknoiwledged a 
higher authority upon which they founded ifcheir efforts of govern- 
ment. We now have tliei revelation witliouit which antiquity 
in all its wisdom failed to institute the -true prinjci'ples of Liberty, 
and haippj" is that people, who profit by its precepts. 

The Bible is the foundation of poMtical morality, a.nd whoit- 
ever of freedom, whatever of patriotism, unalloyed by selfishness, 
we find in ith© world is derived froan its conseci'aited pages. 

The science of morality has beeini alVays one of interesit — one 
in which the gi-eatesit minds of ervery agie have deveiloped their 
noble poiwers, A\Tith the moslt unbounded freedom. Man impelled 
by the passions alone Avould be the most helpless of all creiaitures; 
and to restrain thesei passiions have been the worthy objects of 
the best and wisest men. Socraites, Semeca and Cicero, for this, 
made the best efi"orts of tlieir lives, and by the streingtlh of their 
oharacters, did contribute what power man can wield to keep the 
.=^T>;rit of benevolence from being smothered, amid the tumults of 
the world. By such precepts and examples the weight of emi- 
nence wias thrown on tlie side of virffcue, and much thait was nobl© 
was preserveid even among heathens, uncorrupted by the passions. 
These bright specimens of intelleictual gTeatness show wliere, 
among the ancients, we are to find thie perfecition of art with peace 
and happiness. Beyond their influence was darkness, ignorance 
and the miseries of a savagie life. 



10 

But a more powerful torch tliaai plliiloisoplry was to illumine 
the moral world. The truth of Christianity w,ere to cast a ray of 
heaven! born light over 'the nations, diffusing the blessings of 
freedom, and dispOTsing the ignioramc© Which had hung for ages 
on the minds of men. W^en the light broke upon the world, all 
became biilUant within (its radiance. To its rising greatness 
principalities and powers pinned their declining strength. De- 
pra\-ity himg ne&r its glare, and sitrived to cover its deformiity 
with a moral splendor. Thus crashed by union with princes and 
evil spirits, the light of moral truth went out from the Avorld, and 
hid itself from the sight of men in tlie cloister and confines of the 
mounltains. But the Reformation again woke the world from its 
utter moral ignorance, idolatry and superstition. Quickened by 
the pure illumination of .the Bible, m:aii has: continued to- improve 
in his social existence from thiat time to the present. We- feel 
justly proiud of our age, and under the influence of Clmisitianity 
the people of the 19th century despise- a comparison witli former 
times, even witlh the brightest periods of antiquity. 

And where now do \ve find the greatest happiness? As 
among the ancients the examples of the ^vlis.e arid good marked 
their degree of civilization. So now, where Bible truth and Bible 
morals are spreading abroad !th«ir li^ht, we only find trae haippi- 
ness and prosperity. 

We \\ill reif er to Europe. Se:e the difference itlrat has there 
been produced between the linstitutions- thialt are under the light 
of the Bible, and those yet loaded with infidelity and supersti- 
tion. It forms a nationfeility sponger than languages or difference 
of climate. It separates them more effecttuilly than if divided 
by the width o-f the Ooean: Look at France and England. What 
is it that has made the difference ibetween these two peoples? 
They are separated only by a maiTow straiit-^rapidity of oommu- 
nieation has almost made the one territoiy verges inlto the other— 
and yet the- habits of the people mark the line of separation so 
plainly, that it is impossible for the most careless to pass it with- 
out obseiwation. In one an air of suspicion will continually 
come over you. The scrutiny of officers; the strictness of law, 
bring in an uncertain dread of some danger. You feel thei pangs 
of servitude. In the other the air is free. You feel secure; no 
officers gatlier round you besieging for a pass; no. suspicious eyes 



11 

are oontiniiajlly direeted towards your iiiovem6n,ts. You are 
in a counitry of firm and oertJairu Iwws. 

Tihere is certainly a moral influence Itibait has produced tMs 
difference. Thei seeds of infidelifty and (Supea'stitiorn, sowm early 
in the minds of it he' French by a poisonous literatrue; by the swvay 
of popeiry, has defea,ted every efl'ort for Liberty, lias reduced the 
spirit of fre'edom; kept ithe mind chained in a blind and bigoted 
prejudice or a careless or desperalte sensuality. And thus while 
England liais gro'wn justly proiid in lier unisilialcein libeiity, and is 
extending her empire oiver the seas to every quarter of the world; 
the Ferncli have wasted tlieir sitrength in the strife® of civilwars, 
and even no^^■, \vliile they have succeeded in esitlaiblishing- thei names 
and forms of a Republic, soi lit'tle is slie p.laced on the 'true foun- 
dation of freedom, that these very forms seem but the turning 
pivot from wliich she may slide into despotism or amaii-chy. 

This is the difference' which has been made in the prosperity 
of these old rival pow'ers. There are olthei- nationis showing a 
like difference. 

See Proitestant S'witzerland stainding lin the midst 'of a deseift 
of supers'tition— a bright spot of liberty among mental' darknes'S 
and physical servitude. All around have been agitaited by the 
strifes of civil war, and the clamors of a dissatisfied populace. 
Yet the land, where Tell raised, the voice of freedom has resited 
secure and undisturbed in the possession of liberty. With the 
C-e: nian Confederacies on the north and the Italian States a\ the 
south, we might suppose the sound of their cannon rolling along 
the Alps, would have aroused the martial spirit of the Helvitian. 
But the memiory of 'the Reformers has not yet died in the 
mouni.airs; and though 'strife and civil commotion have agitated 
the turbuilent spirits of her neighbors, Switzerlaud has maintained 
a perfeCit neuiti-ality. 

Look now ait Itaify, which has nourislied the poelt and painter, 
where stand the proudest monuments of antiquity— where free as 
Avater ran the blood of Itliie early mlaiHtyrs. While the world has 
grown proud in the improvemenits in .art>— in new light in science, 
Italy has descended by rapid strides from her former greatnesis. 
While improvements have marked every braneii tha-t could con- 
tribiite to the pleasure of man— while the elements have been con- 
vei-ted into engines of use, the feted swamps in Italy, that were 



reduced to cultivation in tlie .time of the Oaesars, (see "De Arte 
Poetica,"lin6 63), liave aigiain retui-ned to their ancient Imthsome- 
niess, giving out anew the noisome pestilence. At the door of 
this deluded people, has the Bible often plead for entraJice. But 
they are looked in the oold embrace of superstition and are un- 
willing to look tlwoiugh the prison bars of their mental servili/ty, 
to see the bright sunlight, contrasting with the gloom of their 
dungeon. How poor are all her cities ootmpared witli thek for- 
m-er°splendor. Rome once the pi-oudest city of the worW, where 
the luxuries of every nation had all been concentrated, has noth- 
ing now of that greatness 'biit 'broken columns and fallen temples. 
Through impeiial Rome, once marched the conquering aa-mies of the 
Oaesai°s. Ch'er tlie fields of Italy have since miai'ched ithe aa-mies 
of he Pope, consuming all in their path. Thi^ough the streets of 
Rome once fildd the. magTiiiicent rites of the ancient heiathen wor- 
ship; through its streets has since paivaded the scarlet livery of 
the Pope. But in all tliis pageant, thei-e is nothing but the 
■squalid smile of poverty and a vacant istare at gaudy colors, 
where paide and power, once could give the isemblance of a 
reverence to an empty supenstition. 

Greatly lias Rome declined from its former .siplendoi-, and if a 
Patrician from the Court of Augustus could now arise froim the 
scattered ruins of his Sepulchre, what a sad change would meet 
his vision! Even the splendors of the Romish worship, would 
seem but an empty mummwy— ^a horrid imitation of his once 
proud city and sacred mythology. 

Many such examples might be given but Ithey are unnecessary. 
It is plainly evident that the Bible has caused the diff'ei-ence— 
has drawn a line between Christianity and idolati-y more dis- 
tindtly than the light and shade of a,n eclipse tliirt crosises tlie 

disk of the sum. 

How sltrange that this Bible; the migMy engine, tliat ha.s 
revolutionized the world; thalt has stood by the improvements 
ami leading events of es-ery age; that has caused the revival of 
claisisical literature, the diffusion of knowledge, a greater exten- 
sion of moral and civil riglits, shouM receive but a passing atten- 
tion, from tlnose who profesis to be guided by the high and noble 
influence of truth. We live in an age when experience and in- 
tellectu'al effoiTts have cast a lustre of perfection over itllie science 



13 

of political ethics. Mo'raldsts have seaa'cbed aimoaiig 'the philoso- 
phy of tire an'oieiilts; they have handled the pure and elevated 
maxims of Soca-aites aaid Semeca; but aftei- their wearisomie ohase 
through these woiiks of human intelileot, tlhey have turned to the 
Bible, the only perfect sysltem of morality. In its. pages alone 
is discovered the guide, wliileh the mind lias sought in vain thro ug'h 
all ages. It broke upo.n the heatihera world like a meteor, takin'^ 
all by isuri>i-ise, casting to the ground the maxims, wliich yeai's 
hiad ripened to a .seeming perfection. 

When that sentiment of Terence so new to. the heathen mind 
was uttered in the Koman theatre, "Homo sum, humani nihil a me 
alienum puto," the aiw.lienice was iso struck by its novelty 
and nioiral grealfcnelas thiat they nose as by one impuls.e from tliieir 
seats a.nd broke foatli in the loudesit applause. 

But ho\\' much more grand a.nd noble was the precept, w'liioh 
fell from the lips of Clurist as a,n humble peasant: 
"Love thy neighboir as thyself."' In this was oo'neentrated 
the chief good of all moiiality. From this starting point light 
opened upon tihe world. ^Man. was taught his simple, perfecit 
duty to hi.? fellow,, '"LoNe thy neighbor as thyseilf." How com- 
pleite the instruction! Row stamped \vith the impress of Deity! 
crafty or ambitious jjolicy is opened to our views — no path of ex- 
pedien.cy, that woukl mark a man df this world. Christ did not 
advise siubmissiton till the changing times might afford a favor- 
able c'hance for i-e\olution. But depa.i?ting fno-m that cusitom 
tiiat liad drenched the would in blood, he comprehended the whole 
dut\- of NU'bmisision in this simplie ijrecept. 

"Kendeir unto Caesar the thi-ngs thait are Caesar's, and unto 
Cod the things that are Cod's." 

Such is perfect morality, and by its side the maxims of luiman 
wisdoiu Slink into merited insignificance. 

I'ljoai these instruiitions— this mora,rity alone—can be fomided 
the prGsperity and happiness of a nation. Had Spain been 
guided by the Bible instead oif a bigoted fury to spreiul Papal 
supremacy; iiad she pursued that simple instruction, towards 
\wr unsophisticated neig'h'bors of Jliexieo and Peru, her chivalric 
and daring sons might have been to this day, the supreme rulers 
of the sea. 

Had French kings been more' honest and Less crafty in execut- 



li 

iug ttieir pi-omises, the vine hills of Fraiw* would Ithis day have 
eijboed to the glad sound of Freedom. 

Had benevolence moa-ie itihan ambition a-ctuaited the Sovereigns 
of Europe; had they loved more the prosperity of Peaoe, «then the 
splendors of W!ar, tliere would have floiuished a garden luxuriance 
AN-here now is desolaltion, ignorance and servitude. 

But times ane changing and will continue in tllieir onward 
progress. Let Us not be behiiDd in receiving ithe upward spirit. 
The glory whidi tes hung round the names of Ailexander and 
Bonaparte, has heen divested of its magic, and behind in hoorid 
cliaa-acters plainly appears their crnel enormiities, wMle the names 
of Washington, Quincy, the Adamses, will ever be enshrined in the 
hearts of men. The day is at hand when the greatest glory, 
the aim of amhition, will be embodied in these nofele WOTds : 

"He lived; he died, a Christian Stateism^an." 



^^ALEDICTORY ORATION", 

of t:1ie Graduating Class o^f tlie Year 1851. 

Deli\ero'(l Before tlie PeitHiessopiaii Society of Paitgws College, 

June 10; 1851. 

THE AMERICAN ALUMNUS. 

By William Lounsbery of Stone Ridge, N.. Y. 



It has often been said 'that men are never so impoi1ta,njt in 
their own eyes, as. wlieni they <ar& jus't leaving the doors of their 
College and their Al'nm Mater to nuake ithmr firsit essays in life. 
The broad world lies all before tlheni, aiul with -a happy confidence, 
they oan siu'vey its. extensive range and mark many a brilliant 
road, opened for their rapid and easy advancement. If ever man 
feels strong foa- a journey, it is when be sitands, in the refresMng 
breeze of moTiiing, upon an eminemoe, and sees before him the 
route he is to pursue tbrough tine day, and the calm place of rest 
in tihe eA-ening. He starts witli vigor and eagerly dasbes aside 
the difficulties of the road, till the bealt of noon-day and multi- 
plying fatig-ue have blia,sted tlie fair coiifidence of morning and 
reduced the youthful impulse to morei soiber realities. It is upon 
suoh an emiinenee, that we a.re now standing. Before us lies the 
paitb we are to pursue during life, illumined by youthful hopes, 
smo'otbed by the reliance of power. The world is to us surely 
a fair prosipect. Spread as it is before- us in all its attractive- 
ness, it maist certainly be allowed, that we bave a right to this 
fancied impoitance. It is the natiu-e of stren^h and youth to 
look with confidence upon the labors it has to undertal^e, and 
now, in the vigor of oi>ening manhood, prond in bodily strength, 
we would be dull indeed to look with indiflerence or dread upon 
the business of tilie world, just opening 'before us. We have 



16 

energies that have never been dampened by thie ernes of the world; 
Ave Wave faciillties untried and eager for ladtiom; we have >tihe 
niaitural impatience .to be at some work, which will marlc us as 
men. The fieM Ides before us iw which we are tto commence 
a<^ion; it seemis loaded witih fruit ready for the i-eaiier-witih a.n 
.abundant 'harveisit ^^•ailting for our lia,rtds to gaith,er. Wherevea- 
we turn, thei-e are roads laid open that only seem to require the 
Ivand of diligence to yield abundant sucicess. 

Such is our situation., with everything itrauspii-ing to, make 
us confident aud invigorate us with pleasant anticipations. We 
lare really strong, and let no on© check Itlie exuberanloe of hope 
that the*^toil,s of rife and increasing difficulties will soon enough 
destroy. A slight degree of romance is congenial to the raa,nly 
spirit a,nd properly tempers the iniactiviity o* mature and the cal- 
culating movements of ReE^s-on. It is always the paa-t of genius 
to illumine the patli in front witli confidence in its own powers, 
and when difficulties would make it despair, it scoims to disap- 
point its fair laid hopes. It is sti-mulated by obs^taeles, and rises 
prouder in self reliance with every exertion. 

Youth, healtih, strength, confidence are all ours, ,and we are 
for the world. What brighiter triumph can be imagined than 

this season of life. 

But besides this happy time oif youth and hope there are 
other aecidenits conspiring to our a^dA-antage. We are American 
youth. A free and happy country is before us. With talents 
and application; with health and temperance, we can all trend 
with firm ami unbTOken step tlie pajth to fame and virtuous am- 
bition. Our eoimitry maikes our sitiuition important, our pros- 
pects brilliant. There is no despotism Ito check rising genius; 
no fear of power to oppose the clear developmenlts of mind. All 
]da;ces are open^all invite our attention and promise success. 

With itlveise advanitages, which we derive from naiture and our 
country, it would be strange if we owed them no dirties. We 
are not so entirely in their possession that they need not cultiva- 
tion and protection. We do owe duties to ourselves and our 
countiy,.and niow as we sitand here- let us decide how we will per- 
form them as returns for the benefits we receive at their hands. 
Whatt punsuit shall we follow in life? 

This question has agitated the mind Iri' every age. Tt is no 



17 

less perplexing now. The fable of Hercules has losit none of its 
foiTce and meaning coming down to our own times. Tlie deeeiv- 
inig nianineirs of vice ihave: as yet losit none of tfiieir beguiling in- 
fiuences. Vii'tue now as in tliet day of Hercules hats most ad- 
mii-ers. Butt vice lha.s yeit lier crowd of foEowers, lured on by her 
deceitful appearance. Thin hero of the ancient mythiology is 
placed in the fable in the i)OiSition in which w© are now standing 
to choose between two roadis. — on the one side- le&din(g to \4rtuous 
aotions and bappineiss; on the. other side Ito vice and niiseiy. 
"Oh, what noble minds are here o'erthroiwn." How many unlike 
Hercules have failed to chooisie the road ;to virtue, aind listened to 
the song o.f 'the Syren until she transformed hem into beaists. 

In view of the duties we owe to ourselves and our country 
how important, is the decision of the question each one of uis has 
now to decide for himselif. Wliat roiad shall we puT*sue? Whajt 
position in the world shall we occupy? 

A favorite road draws many into its tangled maaes. Seduced 
by atltraetive promiseis, flushed by transient sujcoeiss crorwds invade 
the thorouighfare to jwlitica;! power. An eager throng of young 
men with a "vaulting lambitiom which o'erlelaps itself" are now 
pursuing with mad fury the laurels of place and office. It is no 
doublt an unhappy proclivity for the youthful mind and an un- 
happy tendency of our political institutionis thait they draw a 
crowd of unnatuHally excited and ambitious youth into the political 
arena. Experience has fully demonsiti-ated, that age alone caja 
give weight and certainty or the hopes of perpetuilty to our in- 
sitntionis. What consistency can be predicted of the mad party 
sipirit ■which is now fomented by the rash inltruision of young 
and inexperienced men into lthe> ma-nagement of our poli'tical ma- 
chinery? What hopes of the continued iM-osperity of our beloved 
country can be enteiitained when the reins of governnneinit fall into 
untried liands. It is too true in politics that "Fools rush in 
Where Angels fear to tread." Let us learn rather to temper 
our activity so that we do not become rash 'and ungovernia.ble. 
While pursuing our course upward and onward let us turn from 
the dangerous defiles that will at la.Rt lose you in the untracaible 
mazes of the mountain forest. See as an illustnation, the man 
of the Alps. He pursues his course in the bleak winds from 
the top of those Alpine hills and is seen far up the craggy peak, 
3 



18 

oontenditig witli ilie sionn of snow and sleet. Not the sound 
of the cold blast, not the enticing voice of the nlaiden could con- 
vince him tliat it was beyond his power to cr<fes the mountain 
that cold night. Beyond was blazing the fire in the quiet 
hearth of his home and no voice of entreaty nor sound of the 
tempest could tvun him from his course. The rash youth was 
found, however, by the friar of Saitu Bernard, with his firm 
spirit quenched in death, with his banner quietly floating ^in 
the morning sun, stiU showing his unconquerable resolve, '-Ex- 
celsior." Here was a noble activity converted into rashness, 
and the noblest impulse of the heart leading to its. own destruc- 
tion. 

This distinction should ever be kept before the mind of 
youth— they are natm-ally rash and impetuous and rush with- 
out thought into dangers and difficulties. 

When, therefore, you feel patriotic, and burn for the ser- 
vice of your country, do not consider that you will accomplish 
yoiu' object best by plunging madly into politics. That is more 
properly the province of older men with ideas and pi^inciples fully 
developed by experience. 

The management of our political machinery, in spite of the 
levity that has been thrown around it by the participation of 
thoughtless men is a givaver suibject than it appears to the 
casual observer, or to many of those who have rashly tlu-own 
themselves into its mazes. And though we see a few who liave 
succeeded by rushing into the busiesit scenes, and repeating a 
few phrases popular with the masses, yet ten times the number 
have failed and only made their esea-pe with loss of character 
and honor. 

Youth draws pleasant pictures of popularity and pursues it 
frequently with a strange severity of pm-po.se. It is indeed "a 
beauteous garden, but by vi^e maintained," and with all the paint 
of early fancy, it is plainly evident that the man, who launches 
out into party strife and political gambling, must do it at the 
expense of honor and truth. He has commenced a voyage 
which only a master pilot can terminaite with safety. If he be a 
skillful seaman, he can guide himself clear from the rocks and 
whirlpools tliat lie in his Avay, if not he will run a ^^"andering 
but certain course to destruction. 



AN ORATION 

ENGLISH SALUTATORY. 

Delivered at Rutgers College Commencemenit, July 23, 1851, by 
William Lounisbery of Stone Ridge, N. Y. 



Geu'tleuieu of the Board of Trustees: — It becomes us to ad- 
dress our first Sialutatiomi to you: for under youi- care and 
l>aitrona.ge we have been instracted and prep,ai-ed for the activities 
of life. It is with no ordinary emotions of gratitude, that we 
welcome you on this occasion. Your earnefst and imtiring efl'oa-ts 
for our comfort, as well a-s improvement, have united in this in- 
stitution the lirst social and literary advantages: have made this 
a place where we can indulge the pleiasm-es of taste aaid the finer 
feelings of the soul, \\hile we expand ithe mind witli truths of 
science and the wide field of literature. You have smTounded 
these abodes of study wiitli objects of ornament and thus largely 
contributed to increase the pleasm-es of our academic life. With 
devoted enthusiasm you have employed your influence that this 
College should maintain its equal standing ^vith the old and 
time honored of this country; that it sliiould have a name and 
reputation worthy of its real merits. You have well succeeded. 
And it is a just reward for yom- exentions, tliat tliis institution, 
fostered by your diligence, can claim an equality with others 
revc'recl. for age and their conjiection with our coiintry's early 
history. We have the predictions of men in the sunset of life 
and the exentionis of active patrons 'to give us reasons to say 
your laboi-s liave not been in vain and that this Oolle'ge will 
flourish a (Safeguard to liberty, and a^n honor to all who have 
received its instructions and united for its suppoi-it. You have 
this assiu-ance to satisfy yomr declining years and guarantee the 
honest appreciation of your actions by a gi'ateful posterity. 



30 

Mr. Presideiait: Wc liave received the first fruits of your 
use'fulness and devoted zeal in advancing the interests of this 
College. The announcement of yoxir name to fill the chair 
o.f our late and wo-rthy President was hailed by all wilth joy. 
Your coinnection with the movements of philantliTopy in this 
coimitry and youi- great succeiss in other spheres of action, filled 
our minds with an aj-den desire, to see the remainder of your days 
de\'o)ted to our favorite institution. Our wishes have been 
largely gratified. We salute you with g^-ateful regurd for the 
kind offices we have received at your hands; for your devoted 
eflorts for our improvem-ent; for your zealous care over our in- 
tellectual and moral education. We feel assured that we depart 
for the world with your best wisiiets and earnest supplieationis for 
our success. We wish you fullness of years in your labors of 
love and the peaceful end of a siatisfied conscience. Like as a 
shock of corn cometh in his seasoni. 

Gentlenieu of the Faculty: We greet you no uioa-e by tlie 
name of iteiacher, but your example and the influence of your 
actions are not so easily effaced. In realty we are sitill the 
aohoians of your precepts and though yea.rs and seas may sep- 
arate us, the remembrance of your instruotioras will yet tell upon 
our thoughts and be incentives to new exertions. There is a 
grandeur belonigiug to the virtuous teacher that is .siuperior to 
the usual forms of moral excellence. While others labor for the 
present the fruits of his eft'oiits will lasit for ages. While the 
good deeds of some terminate with their lives, his chanacter is 
still transmitted through others with increasing influenice. As 
our respected and loved teachers, we salute you and thanlc you 
for your generous and self sacrificing efforts foi- our improve- 
ment. The jealousy of authority ha.s now ceased, and we can 
look with real thankfulness upon youi- reproofs, ami see the real 
value of your instructions.. You have taug'Wt us that the mer- 
cliandise of wisdom is bdtter itlian the merchandise of silver and 
-the gain thereof • tlian fine gold. May her right haml extend to 
you length of dayis and her left hand ever lead you in the ways 
of pleas autness and the paths of peace. 

Clas'smates: This brilliant scene iis our introduction, to the 
world. Is it indeed a subject of congi-atulation that we are 
now to launch on the sea of life? We know this day is one 



21 

of triumph to the youlthlul hemt, and we greet you to its full 
cujoj^ment. As a ship spreads ber oa.nvas and bends gayly to 
the breeze of the opening voyage, so doi we Itook with gladness 
upon the fair promises of this gay scene. We know that beyond 
there a.iie storms and itroubles, buit the bright day o.f our opening 
life .shall be one' of joy. Let no bitter thoughts mingle' \/ith 
pacing. Let the brightness of this day nerve> us for the dif- 
ficulties (tliat may afterwards arise. Let the applause we now 
receive, so grateful to youthful liope, dire<:t our .Uiouglits 
upwards to aspire. 

"For a name and a fame above tlie blight 

of Earthly breath 
Beautiful— beautiful and brighit 

In life and deatth." 

Wlion .the phantoms of eartlily greia'tness and its applauses 
shall have vanished, may our thoughits be fixed upon the glory 
•that is never dimmed by vicLssiitudes of fortune, but remains evJr 
perfect as the fountains of light. 

Ladies and Getntlenien of New Brunswick: Our salutations 
to you are ming^Ied ^^■i.th I'eal gladness. The interest you have 
always manifested in our welfare and your presence on this oc- 
caision, are tokens of your regard worthy our warm^est gTati- 
tude. In your society we have had the ^-eloome of generous 
hospitality; an^d the .idvanteiges of your intercourse have made 
our re.sidence here both pleasaiit and instructive. You can be 
assured that the kindness you have ever exhibited has not been 
unappreciated. Cbnneeted with thds institution and its fond 
as,,soe,ations will eNer be cherislied the bright remembrant-e of 
Ne«' Brunswick and its citizens. By our intercourse^ with you 
^ye have still kept bright our connection Avith the world, and have 
not forgotten that our destiny ^^■as beyond ourselves-that ^ve 
have a broader field of action than our personal interests Our 
studies have thus instead of cheris,hing asceticism and a disgust 
tor the ^^'orld, made thie objects of life more- dear and unHed us 
closer to ,ts pmctical duties. In this way you have framed our 
nnnds for the world and laid before as a bright road for the 
tuture. We gwet you here at our entl-ance uipon Life We 
know by your examples and our ov;n experience that it is a s-tern 
reality. As we start into its doubtful mazes we are not enter- 



23 

ing upon! fairy grouiidls— as ear,pe,t kmigWbs in tlie gay toiu-iia- 
ineut. The bright eyes of this assembly will not always reign 
infiuenee. Life is real; Life is earnest, and to meet its stern re- 
quirements we canmot live lalways in these gay soenes. 

There is an influenoe attaehed to us^ that must be exerted 
for the world. We go from these halls otf literature to make a 
paa-t of the character and pragi^es® of socieity. If coiTuption 
shall ever settle upon oui- instiltutioms ; if civilization and ad- 
vancemea^t in our free and happy land are ever turned back- 
ward to their sources, and th«ise bright promise ev&r covered 
with primitive darkness, it will be oansed by the influence of 
liiiterary men in perverting and debasing an enlightened pubHc 
opinion. The safety of our counltry is not based on laws. The 
ivations of the east for six 'hundi-ed years maintained their indfi- 
pe^ndenee until a corrupt taste and a corrupt litei^ature, without 
any impoi^tant change of government, destroyed their ancient 
organizations and left nio ves^tige of their former greiatnms. This 
will be the end of our happy land if education is once pervented 
to administer to the depraved tastes and passions of men. We 
know that a pure literature is our country's strong defender. 
Let us then act wnthy of our high reisponsibilities, and show 
when the age of our falthens shall have grown' in a good antiquity, 
that this country is yet strong in its primitive Union— that the 
sipirit of Liberty is invincible. 






LEADING EDITORIALS. 

By William Lounsbery, Selected from the Ulster Democrat. 



INTEODUCTORY. 

(Deoembei- 7, 1854.) 

The readers Oif tlie Deiuoerait -are doubtless prepared, by the 
short, yeit comprehensive, farelweill of its former proprieitor, con- 
tained in the last naMnber, ito receive, without surprise, the iwtro- 
duotiory of his suceeisisofl-. By relering to the head of this issue, 
it will be reme'Uibered, by those whio kniow us, tha.t we reoeived 
our inisitniction in the mysteries of :the craft, fromi our predeces- 
sor, the originator of this paper; who, being compelled by bodily 
afflictions to retire from the ediitbdaJ chair, which for the past 
eight years, he hais filled with so much honor to himself, and siat- 
isfactiooi to his patrons, noiw resigns it to tois former pupil. And 
here, at the threshold of his future dutJies, the apprentice of for- 
mer years begs leave, publicly, to acknowledge his indebtedness 
to his friendly instructor, for the faithfulness and kindness- with 
which he imparted tliat knowledge, which will now be called inJto 
requisition. 

In thus a-ttemptiiig the work before us, we feel that we are 
undertaking a laborious and difficult task. No position is more 
delicate and responsible, than that of a conductor of a weekly 
journal. With many prejudices to eneouniter, many taisites to 
please, many opinions to re^view, and withal some irtdeipendenice to 
maintain, we ishall, probably, be unable to- avoid coining in con- 
iliet Avith some one's prejudices, or opinions, or offending some 
one'is ta.s;tes. Added to this, is the eonisitant and ceaseless toil, 
absolutely neceissary to the profession. The judge may adjourn 



24 

his court, the seh'ool and tlie woa-k-sliop may close tlieir sliutiters, 
the mourner may veil his feiaitures, and turn boith friend and 
stranger from his door; but the journalist must toil tirelessly on, 
forgeitltinig today the sorrow of yesterdiay, and daily battle with 
some nie\A' difficulty. The paiper must appear, wiiatevei- be the 
private burden Promlence imposes upon the ed'itoi-'s heart and 
brain. But we come to the discharge of oui' dutiets, strong in the 
courage of an earne'sit de.sire to prove ourselves worthy of the 
confidence and support of the patrons of ithe Democrat, and the 
friends of om- earlier days. 

The Democrait, while it remaiins under our charge, will be a 
faiithful and fearJesisi advocalte of the principles of the N'ationa.1 
Democracy. — Originally laid dO\\'n by Jefferson, the founder of our 
political faiith, tliey have eff'edtually withstood the efforts of our 
opponents to prove them fellaciouis, ajid guided this luation safely 
through dangers from internal and secitional jealousies and inter- 
nal foes. Broad and national in their applioation, disitinigui'shing 
between the powers conceded t)o thej (leneral Government, and 
those wliiich are reserved to- theniselves by tlie scA-eral states, and 
acknowleidging the political equality of aJl citiizenis, thiey are at 
once the pride and glory of the true friends of the Union. We 
mujSifc ithiei-ef&re, of necessiity, oppose and condemn the course of 
the present administration', ndt only because' ilt has forsaken the 
Jeffersoniian faith, but because Jt has introdviced into' the Demo- 
cratic paiitj^ — ^^the i>a.rty that placed it in power, telsits at variance 
with that faith, and odious in themselves, and made the result 
of the application of saich teisits, the basis of its pers'onal favors 
and fro\vn)s. 

Regarding the Slavery quelstion as settled iby the Ne^braiska 
Bill, we shall, withoult exjjressing our opinionis of the mode by 
which that settlemenlt was effected, oppose all efforts to re- open 
the same, ami commence legislation aai'ew upon a smbject fraught 
with so much dianger to the Union; earnestly looking for the re- 
sailt which it is claimed that Bill will secure; viz, the principles 
of popular -sovereignty. 

We 'have no apprehensions of the dismiemberment of the 
Xational Democi-atic party, in the poliitical commotions that are 
now taking place. We feel confident, that conservative doctrinies 
Avill always bind together, a sufficient number of pure and pa- 



25 

triotie minds, unswayed by exeoujtive patronag'e, and iinc?orrupted 
by party spoils, to protect us fnoim ddsuinion, or the madnieas 
of radioali'sm. To the Nationlal Demo«raltic party of the Statte 
of New York — ^a pai"ty purified of coaruption, cleiar and explicit 
in the enunciiaition of its creed, trieid in the furnace of adversity, 
untainted with side issue's', or the infamous measures of a venal 
administration — we therefor'e fix our political faith, iand give our 
unwavering suppoi-it. 

With regard to the other departments^ of the paper, it will he 
our aim to present articles that will tend to instruct the mind, 
de\'elop the affections, and refine the taisites. We shall endeavor 
to satisfy all literary preferences, bj' giving stories for lovedorn 
damsels, jokes for the mirthful, sipecula'tdons for idealtiists, facts 
for the uitilitarilan, and reason for the grave and strong-minded, 
always choosing or \n'iting our article® on the principle of "much 
in little." 

In thus entering into new and interesting relations -with the 
readers of this paper, we hoipe we may pursue a ooirrse, that will 
resiult in profit and pleasure to both. But both proprietor and 
patrons should rememiber, that as 'the benieifits of such a. relation 
are mutual, so also are the burdens. \\Tiile. therefoi*', we strive 
to give them a paper worthy of their support, we trust they will 
feel their obligations to supply us, as soon as due, with that "ma- 
terial aiid," so lessential, especially in these "hard times," to O'ur 
undertaking. Paying the amount required for fifty-two numbers 
of our paper may be a small thihg for our paltroms, but a failure 
to receive it, is much, very much, bo us. 

Thus having introduced ourselves to our patrons and readers, 
we go forth to future duties, hoping that We may present thehi 
with a paper, Worthy of their support, a.nd that our friends will 
lend a helping hand to increase its circulation, and extend its 
usefulness. 

W^HAT ARE THE ISSUES? 

(June 7, 1855.) 

A new political revolution has itia.ken place in this country, 
completely demolishing the old party oragnizations. The' i'ssuea 
on which they were divided are obsolete. There is not left of 
them, in the whole Union a fragment large enough to be dignified 

4 



23 

by the name of a party. Like the des'truotion- of 'thie temple of 
Jerusalem itheiir annihilation' has been ,so complete that tberte is 
not one s;tone of tlieir gigantic and noble proportions resting upon 
another, that has not been thrown down. It is no pleiasantduty 
for us to record the dissolution of that immense org-anization that 
has bome s'o proudly and suiocessfulh- the appellation of the 
Democratic party— a party, relying upon the glory of the admin- 
isitraitions of Jefierson and Jackson, whose names were worth a 
thousand men— a party dignified by its successes and worshipped 
foil- its name.— But it has become e,vident that thouigh prineiples 
•never change, pa'rtieB may, amd that 'this great orgianization with 
all thcBe elements of strength and vigor, has become the victim 
of a powerful revolution in public senitimeni*^ over AVhieh party 
leaders and individual efforts ha.ve had no conitrol. — ^a current 
of national feeling that cannot nio\v be stemmied. It becomes 
our painful duty then, as a part Oif the record of the times, to 
acknowledge that the great Democratic party, "of which we were 
a part." is no more. Babylon, the gi-eat is fallen — is fallen. 

We wonkl do injustice to truth and tlie names of the great 
statesmen with, which this pairlty arose to isay that its dissolution 
was caused by the unpopulartity of the principles on which it 
wa's foivmded. We aclcnoiwledge the dissolution of the political 
machinery by Avhich these principles were sustained a^nid adA^o- 
icated, bult the principles themselves are not the subjecits of rcA'O- 
lution- — ^^they are the emanations of minds that understood thor- 
oughly the genius and structure of our country, and they have 
s^tood the tesit of public discussion, and been vindicated by our 
nlatiooiial prosperity, and they are now conceded by all parties 
throuighout the country. 

It may seem sitranige that a i>arty, whose principleis have been 
coruceded to be correct, by the whole coamtry, should dissolve; but 
a moment's reflection will convince any one that it is a most 
nia/tural resiilt — 'thialt when an organizaition hasi effected its objects 
there is no lon/ger a necessity or an excuse for its existence^ — ^and 
that principles upon which the whole country unite, cannot be the 
dogmas of a party of the ctiimtry. It becomes, then, like the 
well-favored and fat kine in the dream of Phai'oah, which did ea^ 
up the ill-faA'Ored and lean kine. 

Such has been thie result, as betweer ihe Democratic and 



27 



Whig ihai-ties,, and it may be safely siiid, iliat tliere lias mi been 
a, political coiitest tliroiighoiut the whole Union since tlie pnesd- 
dential election of 1852, that has noit turned upon the issues of 
these two parties. There can no lounger be aji enthusiasm ex- 
cited on the subjects of the United SItates Bank, independence of 
the treasury, protective tariff or extension of territory. Each 
!of these subjects are now at rewt tliroughbut the whole coiuntry— 
and with the exception O'f a small fadtion of abolitionists in Mas- 
sachusetlts, there is now an entire undersianding on tlie question 
of the comparaitive powers of the Sta,te and general govern- 
ments, including the quesltion of slavery and internaJ improve- 
ments. 

The utter decay of enthu^siasm upon these issues was mani- 
fested etirly in the presidenltial camiKiigii to which we have just 
alluded. The candidate of the Whig party, with a better judg- 
ment than he exliibited in some of his siibsequefflt acts dui-ing tilie 
canvass, ^discovered, ,tliat opposition to the; democra,tic principles 
had become palpably insuflficieiDt to m^ain.tain the Whig pa.rty 
through the campaign, and that unless^ some^ new question was 
involved in the contest there \^^as great danger that the whole 
electoral college M-ould unite upon his adversary. Om- country 
AAias then so divided beltwen the two political parties, that the 
foreign foe held the balance of po\ver in a large mLuuber of the 
S'tates. General Scott calculated with great plausibility, that if 
he could obtain that vote he would carry the election. His suc- 
oeiss with the foreign \-ote and in the oamtpaign is familiad- to- ixM. 
It \^^as evident thait the Democratic party, with its name, with the 
friends in their ranks that it had bem feeding foa- a long time at 
tlie public crib, and with the many offices it had at its disposal to 
bestow upon those that provetl themselveis worthy in the contest, 
had too stTOng a bold on the support of the foreign voite to lose 
it simply ])y General Scott's admiration of the '•rich Irish brogue" 
and that '"fine German aocenlt." 

An arrangement was, indeed, made in •tliat election between 
William H. Seward a,nd Ardlibishop Hughes, by which General 
Scott received the largest pa.rt of the Roman Catholic vote, but 
the am-angement was discovered befwe the election, and in Xew 
Jei-sey, where it was Ijetter understood than any where else, it 
carried over a larger number of the native and protestant votes to 



28 

Ills advei'sary tliaii was gained by it. and New Jersey, Scoitt's 
oAva State, and a stroiigliold of tlie ^Mijg party, very imexpeicited- 
ly gave a large Demoei'atic majority. 

This was the iaisit effort of the ^^"ll;ig party as a national or- 
ganiziVtion, and sAnee that time the isisueis of 'the old parties liave 
been complietely lost sight of, and. the State ©lectionst have all 
turuied upon local quesitions that can have no bearing npoui tlie 
natiunail politics, or at Least upon wliich no na,tionial party can 
unite. 

Within the Jalsit year itihe American party "has sprung up — 'the 
outbursit of a public 'semtiment that has been for a muim'ber of 
years fesitering in the minds of the people., and which ha;s before 
this made several imefl'ectual efforts at development. In every 
case it bas hung upon the bqi'deirs of the old isisues, and been 
Oiverwlieimeid by tliieir paramount impontance. But its appear- 
ance at thiis time, wlh'en old dogmais have become obsioleite, and its 
sudden growth into an issue of oontroilling interest, and its suc- 
cesses in nea.rly every pairt of the Union;, ailiows the strength witih 
wiliich it has seized the public mind. The question whether 
Americans shall rule America, or not, is one that cannot no,w be 
"crushed out" by the old party leaders, or by the iwweris of an 
ojjposing adniinistnation. It is an issue that must be fairly mcit, 
aind if it is overcoime, it wild be oivei'coane on ts o'wn merits. 

The late election in Virginia is significant as to the political 
issues of next presidential election, and gives a definite color to the 
ohameleon-hued politics into whiich^ the couiitiy has been involved 
sinice 1852. Situated at the centre of the political arena — the 
"Mother of Presidents" arid the mamiifaicttory of poMtieal creeds, 
Virginia has always liiad a great influence u|)on the constaiiction 
of parties, and may now bo taken as a safe index of the nationai 
sentiment. 

The American party, oi'ganiized but one year a.g0', was imi thait 
election A\ith difficulty defeated by the remnant oif tlie old politi- 
cal parties, and the •s^hiale power of the g'eneral goveirnment.— 
A number of tlie old Democratic papei's claim the victory of 
Henry A. \Yise, the anti-x\nierican candidate in that election, as a 
tritini;ph of the Demoeratic party. It is strange, if tliier claim 
be true, thait the old Whig paipers of thite State are quite a's fu- 
rious in their rejoicing as th^ey ever were at the suoeesises o<f the 



29 

■Whig party in the days of its triumptis. It is a moat evideut 
iixdieatioai of a gxeat jroilitical rievolution, \\lieiii ^\1e sfee the New 
York Tribuzie, thie Albany Eveaiing Journail, the WaisJiington 
Union, the Kingston Journal ami the UMer Re-publican, grow 
jubilant ove^r the sanve election But t'he election- in Virginia 
wals not a triumpli of blie Democi-a,tic party, for Henry A. Wise 
has been one of the moist unrelenting a.nd unserupuious pea-.se- 
cu|tor,s of that party, an/d entered the field, declaring, thait "He 
Liad no reioantations to make." It wiais la contest betweei- the 
futjied nemniamts of itlne okl political oi-gaJiizaitiOins and the new 
American party, and that these old elements of power, with the 
public paitroaiiage yet at its disposal, wiais with difficulty able to 
defeat the oi-ganizaitioin of but one year's growth, is a very 
jxnwefrifaiil indication of its future successies, and of the firiuines& 
with which the Ameiricain. sientiment has seized the public miind. 

What hiais been done in Virginia- will so«n be followed by tlie 
dther states. The Ame]iica.n and a •;ti-America.ni paHties will 
haA-^i their contests thiroughout the wilioJle Union — ^no doubt ^vith 
various success. The -n6w,spa,j>ers speak daily of the momina- 
tions made by the Ameirioa-n party, and it-s^ adversary tlmoughout 
the whole extent of the country. In this- State the troojis are 
nmr-shalling for the conflict in the fall election, and we see the old 
ongans of the Seward fiactiom in cbse communion with the old 
lieadea-s of the Democratic party, preparing to gWe the new party 
a warm reception. 

W'itli iixg-enuity and experiemce in political corruption, the old 
party leaders are endeavoring to entangle the new organization 
with local and sectional prejudioes, but they will fail in their 
alttempt'S. But a sma-11 po-rtion of th^e people of ithis country 
are carried away by sectiiomal anid fanatical enthusiasm, a.nd tlie 
masses are av>ers,e to agitati-ng dognias that will be da.ngeiroiis to 
the. pelace and li^arnDony of the I'mioii-. After such sentiments 
the AuioricHu party is formed, with objeets- distiniotly and pm-eJy 
natio'iiial. Tine evils it -sieeks to remedy meniace all tlie States 
alike. Its opi>oncnits two in all tine States,, and ha,ve a national 
onganfizatiton-. 

The fesues are thus already maide up in which political parties 
are to be divided thnouglhout the country. Let .the American 
citizen weligih careifully his doctrines, and see en Avli-icih side of the 



10 

question he is to be found. YiQur ohoice will be to support or 
oppose the pmieiples of tlie Araerican j>arty. Your did aliliances 
liave no longer any vitality. Let not yovijrscilveis be led. by tliem 
into sentimeiit and prineipleis to vvibidi yofu "will have a natuml 
and unconquerable antipathy. — Obsierv© eareifully the direotiou 
in which tlie chang«(s are leadinig j^ou, ami be no-t led aiway into a 
2)ositioii tlva/t wiill -stultify all your preiconiceived niatiions of na- 
-tional policy. Ldt youi-'selvies niot be insitruments in the hands 
of corrupt 2>olitieians, ^to oppose what you believe the best in- 
tei'esits oif your eountry. 

A CONSERVATIVE PARTY. 

(June 21, 1855.) 

We have boeii several times oliangied by the Kingston J ounial, 
Avitih making an effort to organize a "(ireat conservative party for 
tlie prcsei'\iaitioin of the Union." It wias aipparently a matter of 
surprise ajid ridicule to the editor of that paper, thiat any one 
could engage seriously in such a nefarious undertaking, but how 
ittucli greaiter musit be the surprise, wl en he finds tliat we have 
actually succeeded — tthlat a great Union -preserviing party has 
.sprung up witli healing on its wings^, to inaugurate a new life aiid 
vitality to the Union-preserving isentiment of the co'imtry — to 
deaden sectional prejudicels, and to vivify Oiur naitioinality and in- 
vigoi'ate om* ^^eople \viith a new love for that G'onsitiltutioii which 
was adopted by the people oif thesie Uniilted States, "In order to 
form a more jjerfect Union, esltaJblish justice, ensure domestic 
tranquility, provide for thie ooimanon defense, promote the general 
welfaa'e, and secure the blesisings of Iiibeilty to ourselves and our 
posterity." iSuch are the objects for which the Coinstitutino of 
these United States was formed, and the same objects still exisit 
for their union. Thie editor of the Journal charges uis with the 
wicked intc^nt of forming a grea,t conservative party, for tlie pur- 
pose of perpetuating tliat Union. The crawiiing oau"a.g!e upou th^ 
feelings -of the Journal is thait the pailty is. orgaiiiized, and we lay 
betfore our readers today, in another column, the platform of tlie 
American Party, adopted by the Nabibnal Oonvenltion at Phila- 
delpliia,, ais a consummation of our effoiits at a "groat Union -pre- 
serving ])arty." To the crime with which we stand charged in 
the Journal, we inlake a free and openi oonfessioii. 



31 

"That vre teve ita'en thie old man's daiigliter, 
It is moisit true — ^tnve we iliave married her, 
The very head and fnonjt of our offending." 

^\'e present tine platform to our readens as it stands. We 
think it unnecessary to apologize to our readers for thei course 
we have talcen, or to claim any credit for tlie consistency, with 
Avhdch we ha,ve pursued it. Th.ere is in every Ame.rican patriot, 
an exuberant and spomtaneouis love for ithe Uniion of these United 
States — for our whioile great country, thait will never succomb to 
a seotiomal famalticiisni. The objects for wliich the Uniion was 
formed can be as well aocomplisheil by alloiwing ea,ch State to 
adopt its o\^Ti social system, whether it recognize Slavery or Mor- 
monism, or A\iiether the |>eop!le believe in the Chris tian reiliigioTi 
or Mohammedanism. At 'the Xorith we do not recognize Slavery 
as a part of our social system. We believe: — that is, itihe raxy&t of 
u!s believe in the doctrines of the Ohrisitiain religion; in the South, 
■the iu'sititution of Slavery is a pai-t of their social system; in 
Utah polygamy is eatablished, and the Chinamem in California 
are pagans. Can tlte isitaitesmian diseover SLXvy reason in all this, 
why the union of these different social s,>isttems, for the purpose 
of mutual pro'teotiion, anld for the extension otf the blessingis of 
free republican institutions should be divided into a,s many dif- 
fei'ent section's, as there a.re differences of oipinioinls in these 
serious questions? We are luvman and falible^ — they are the 
saiUie in other Staltes. We think we are right in our opinion — 
ihey are proba.bly equally honest ini theirs; and a. decent respect 
for their opinions and a becoming modesty for our own, will serve 
greatly to quiet and soioth a philanthropy on our part that may, 
after all, be a mistaken one. If our oipinions are correct, — for 
certainly cannot be predicated of the correctness of a system of 
morality of human invenition — tlnen calm discussion will ulti- 
mately convince those that are in erroi-; or if ithey a-re riot con- 
vinced by argiunents, ithey will haA^e the benefits of our example 
and experience; but if all thiis fails, we certainly ought not to 
cut them off from all la'ssociations with our more enlighitened 
theiorieis of society, and plaice them as outside barbarirans, beyond 
even the hope of reformation. 

With ithe Union of the State's, rigfht sysltems of society, jus- 
tice and good morals will steadily gain gi'ound — with a dissolution 



32 

of the Union, civil wars, expensive gorv'erninien'tis, a-ntl blue evils 
always attendinig nevoilutioins, will isend back -the sifcrieam of pro- 
greisis for nmny yeiaTS, and foirever blaist the brigiht anitidipiaitions 
thiat nioiw rest upon this experim'einit of free and papular institu- 
tilonls. 

THE AX/TI- SLAVERY STAMPEDE. 

(xliigust 2, 1855.) 

A few weeks isinoe thle political heavens aissumed a thireaiten- 
ing aspect. The hopes excited by the principles wh'ich prevailed 
in the National! Oonventiooi of the Ameriean panty at Philadel- 
pliia, on tilie ,s'u!bjecit of Slavery, were almost entareily cnisihed. by 
'the pros.pect thait a few miseraible parity leaders of fanaitical negro 
lovers had deistroyed the unanlimLty of that decisiom, and retiiudiat- 
ed its action. It did seem for a while a.s if there werei wsome 
reason iii thle advice O'f our very polite and patnoinizing editor of 
the Joui-nal for advising young men who desired political prefer- 
nieinit ito 'attach thenifielHieis tioi the gi'eat nortihern aniti-slavery 
liberty movement. It did .seeni as if MaissacihiUisieitbs had become 
vinaniimoiusily aboiliitiioni, and ithat Wil'sbii!, tlarriisoini aiud Parker 
Avere on the nio'st direct rood to becotme cano^nized in a neiw cata- 
logaie of saints, and that ScAMard was to be rushetl on the light- 
ning train.over an air-linte road, in)to the' preislidcntial chair. All 
parties were astonished at this ne;w moivemient, wliich abolished 
the old system of planks and platforms, and proposed to run i,ts 
oamdidates over a track ■wiithout platform or tlepot, straight into 
office, propelled by the highcLsit fa,ntatt)ieal, aboliltioni, freedom, lib- 
erty, anlti-Nebraiska. stea.m pressure. The editor of oiiu" Deimo- 
eratic Journal thouglit the idea was plausible and has taken his 
paisisage in one of thie fi-rst trains. He has, he says, "some cor- 
respondents in this County of whom othei- thinlgs might be ex- 
]>etcted, but they aire ready to join with hiin in the gifaat Republi- 
can movement." We have seen the first Hush of its prosperity. 
Let us niot, liioiwever, be deceived by these first aippeairanceis. The 
early proselytes of a new faith are not the safest men, and 
there will be found a grea:t many in this country who do not 
like to bo rusilied aloing in such a fast train: There are men 
that examine the time table and the direction of the train, be- 
fore they erugage tickets. The national, patriotic, and reason- 
ing men of the country have not been eaiTieid away so suddenly, 



33 

and it is pleasant to iheav from bh'oni in this crisis of the Union 
and conserYative principles. Tlie follonving is a portion of the 
Baccalaureate addiress of the Hon. Theodore Frclinghuytsem, Presi- 
dent of Rutgers College, and a candidate for tih«^ office of Vice- 
President in 1844, on tlie ticket with He my Clay, which toudhes 
this question: 

"Another matter of very anxiouls import, in its relation to 
our welfare ais a nation, will have a sihare in your concern. Do- 
mestic (Slavery has been for many years a fruitful theme for 
morail and political discussion, and is noiw assuming a graver 
aspect— that often alarms even thei most tria.uquiL I only de- 
sire here a feiw words, to impress upon yoiu- minds a ruling 
thought tliat slhouM always have its place in the discnssions of 
this interesting matter. It is not aar oa-iginal quesition. It 
cannot be regarded even aiS a simple abstract proposition in 
morals. It is complicaltetl with sb many interests), and holds 
such peculiar relations to the country, tlhat we oatnnot dispose 
of it a.s a mere ail>straetion. When tliei cOiiDstituition of the 
United States was under advisement by the law of nations, a 
slave escaping to a free country became free. The Slaveiholding 
States wew unwil'ling to form a union upon the basis of the 
intei-nati'onal law between imdepende:nt Stateis. Tliey proposed 
to the free States, if you wish to unite with us and thus form 
one people, in etoBer bonds than by the generali la,w of nations, 
then this law of the fugitive -slave must be so modified that we 
shall have the samei right to ireiclaim in your State, tliat we now 
(have in any countty in our own Stote. Oiu- forefathers aigreed 
to this modification, and the thirteen colonieis unaarimouS'ly 
aidopted it, and thus leflt slavery ;a domestic institution in all 
the States wliere it existed. This is tlie true' political state of 
the question, and therefore we earniOt disturb it. As a, gTeat 
moral and social evil, it is open to free consideiraibion and debate, 
as are all other matters peiltaining to morail duty. But po- 
litically we agreed to leave ilt wJiere we found it, and that was 
with the slaveholding States, with all its responsibilities. The 
whole case is with tlhem. It is a gi'avely momentous subject, 
encompassed by perplexing difficulties, that call for deliberation 
and candor, and good temper. And more than this — it invokes 
afresh the cherislied and fraternal feelings that formed the 
5 



34 

Ainei'ican eonstitution. — which Jiais so long and so illustriously 
shoiwn how nuieh of human! wisdom and forecaisit, aJid. how much 
more of Divinie bemgnilty, crowned the first great experim^ent of 
a free and se'lf-governed people. ^iay it be perpetuaL! May 
no irash hand mar it-s gloiry, or da.re disturb its foundationis. 
Should not almost eighty years of prosperous freedom ple'ad for 
our Union? Should not, the smiles of God's favor towards us, 
fo.r all that time, hush Ih*- mxu'murs of disconiteiit amd persuade 
us rather to patience and hope? Let us wait for the healings 
of time, a.nd kindnesis and the sure gTowth of betltei- feielings, 
ihiat will follow the spread and power of the Gosipel of peace. 
Let us, for the sake of human liberty, and miaiii's laist hope, wa;it, 
and 'be^ar and forbear — in the fear of God and a living pnayier for 
His guidance." 

The Republican movement in ithis State has a peculiarly bad 
odor about it. It is controlled by the mem wlho. have fi.giu-ed in 
thie political tliimblie-rigging operationis at Albany for a mim- 
])er of years, spoiling the treasury and manufacturing a. maze 
of ])olitical machinery. We eannoit iseie into it anything so 
loveable that it would be eommendaible for young men or old men 
to tack their fortuneus to it,, either on account of tlhie; alboldtioTi 
smell of the principles, or Ithe sulphur smell of the leaders. We 
harve, ho^^1ever, three newspaperis in this Oounty that seem dis- 
posed to take doiwn the Avliole unadulterated mixture, niggers 
and all. They are tihe EHe.nville Journal, -whoiSie editor intends 
to lea\'e for Kaaiisas as soon as the society becomes sufficiently 
weilil settled in that eoimtry to make his' valuable life secure be- 
yond the uncea'tain hazzard now run by placing it in the ^•icinity 
oif the uncivildzed people, and deadly weapons' which aire now 
said to abound there; tine Kingston Joiu-nal, whose Siamese twin 
editors have beeai so much taken up Avlth the succesis of tire Rus- 
sians in the Crimea and signal failure of the "Stinlv Pots," that 
they have been unfortunately deluded into the' course by a 
couple of veiy reispectaible correspondents, .whose initiails are only 
to bo given to the j)ublic; and lastly, the Rondout Courier, whose 
principle writer bus been so diligently engaged in abusing the 
ministers of our Count}^ and developing the beauties of the 
search and seizure' clause of the IMaine liquor lla^v, that he only 
woke into a political exisitemce by accidentally stumibling over 



35 

the extract from PreiSiidenit Freliug'huyseii's Baccalaureate, above 
quoited. He gives us, in his article of last Aveek, a Sievere judg- 
uieint on the eourse of instruction, tliait formed his early cliai'- 
aeter, and a vei-y unfeeling- rebuke to the President for pro- 
n(niiK'ing' such "old fogy" doctrines to tllie youthful gTaduate. 
It is certainly evident that the writer to which we have alluded 
is not desiro^llS, nor does he sieem tO' be in a situation to tdirow 
much credit on the institution at wliich 'lie graduated, or much 
streugtli in the cause lie has commenced to advocate. 

We have all along had Siuffi'cieait confidence in the reason and 
sound sense of tJie people to prevent us from dispairing of the 
Union. But 'tHie Siuocess of the combiniatioinj of ail*! the fanati- 
cisms last fall by ^tiie election of Ciaa-k for Governor, and the 
return of William H. Seward to the United States Senate, have 
secureid the services of s-uch newspapers as Ave h^ve a:iluded to, 
to accomplish the isame thing in tlie coming elettioin, — and with 
Sewiard aind Bishop Hughes to direct their etiorts in the present 
excited state of tllie coaintry, there is no telling Avhat injuries 
may be committed upon the noble constitution under which we 
live. 

The A'-iews of ex-Seniator Frelinghuyseii are at this time 
very valuable. He is a nilan of enlarged philanithropy. He hais 
the confidence and love of the good men of the country, and 
more than all, he is in a {wsition to advise those Avho' are soon 
to take an active part in itlie political arena They shoAV tha,t 
the excitement growing out of the slavery agitation is not the 
fruit of a genuine philanthropy, but the restless agitation of 
those Miho are eager for reA'olution. They will le'ad. the philan- 
thropic men of the eoiintry toi examine^ -a question siO' serious in 
its charac^ter before tliey become invoilved in its dangerous 
meshes. 

It may be policy for some men to agitate the Slavery ques- 
tion and bring on a sectional hostility tliat will lead to a civil 
wair between the Xorth and the South; perhaps it will advance 
their ambitious aims by such a result; ibut for our part, if such 
a thing is in the most remote future; if it can be predicted on 
the sligh'test possibilitj^ Ave can wish 'to have our hands Avashed 
clean of the deed. ^lay it never be charged upon us that 
for an overweening love of three milMons of unfortiuiaite and de- 



36 

graded beings, we periled the happiness of twenty niillio«s of the 
happiest beings that ever enjoyed the blessings of good govern- 
ment, aiid lU'ged them on to civil war, the most horrible; of all 
the curses that can descend upon any people. If isuccess cani be 
attained only by espousing such a cause, we will always feel 
content in an honest and honorable minoTity. 

We do not, however,, believe that nuamy will be carried off by 
this excitemerit in the coming election. If alil who had espoused 
the principles of the American party had voted for their candi- 
dates last fall, this State would not have been misgK)verned by 
Clark for two years, nor misrepresented by Seward for six. 
Those men will not be deceived a seoond time, and we may 
count with certainty upon the success in this State of the entire 
American ticket in the coming election, and with it the complete 
ti'iumph of conservative principles over the combinied fanaticism 
of Greeley & Co. 

THE Rl^rUBLICAX PARTY,— WHAT IT IS ilADE OF, AND 
WHAT BECOMES OF IT. 

(August 9, 1855.) 

ANlieii Soward was elected Senator from this State last Avin- 
tor; \vhcn Wilson led off a strong party from the American 
Xatiunal Convention last summer; when the Whole North was 
agitated by the lawless disturbances in Kansas; when the ad- 
ministration of President Pierce had broken to fragments the 
pai'ty by which lie ^\■a.s elected, it seiemed a fit seaison to start a 
new panty, unting aJl the aniti-isiHavery elements. A great many 
honest and good men were then so far deceived as to believe 
that with so many accidents in its favor, a party could be or- 
ganized in: this country solely on the geoigi-aphical issue, sufficient 
to elect a President in 1850 Even tlie sly and foxy Wm. H. 
Roimeyn, of the Democratic Journal, who is supposed to sicent a 
gale of jiolitical strength with as much quickness and accuracy 
as a blood-hound trades the fugitive, advised his young friends, 
desiring ]>olitical prefeiiuent, to join in, and sAvell the "phalanx 
of freedom." With his gentlemanly and hypocritical preten- 
sions of friendship, he siucceeded in arraying a forniidahle oi- 
ganization on that basis, and made many boasts that he began 
to smell tlic ''Shcritrs printing" afar olf. 



37 

In July we noticed the general tendency of tihe aniti-slavery 
movement, and the materials of whicli it was forme<l, and we 
warned our reader's against being- enticed imto aii organization 
so dangerous to the country, and at the same time predicted 
its speedy dissolution. Our prophecy ha.s been verified even 
sooner than we anticipated. Tlie re-aetiion of tlie: coarser vative 
mind of the conntry Ims taken: place sooner than we expected, and 
even, our white sepulchre of a politician — our well dressed and 
bowing eilitor, has discovered tliat he entered a, ship that was 
rotten and leaky, and tlierefore leaving his friends to perisJi in 
tlie sinking hulk, he has already commeiiced tO' cast about for 
l>assage on a vessel of stauncher and sounder material. 

In our article of July last, we characterized the anti-slavery 
agitation at the Noi'th a« a dangerons political basisi, and argued 
that a party founded on a geographical issue would eitlier dis- 
;5olve of itself, or lead to the dissolutioni of the- Union. We huve 
ever since had our eyes on the movement, and will now endeavor 
to throw some more light on the su'bject, and attempt to indicate 
more clear]}' what it is made of. and wlvat will become of it. 

While Seward was Governor of this State, and as early las 
1841, a demand was made upon him by the Governior of Virginia 
for the rendition of two fugitive slaves. Seward refused to 
comply witli the requisition of the Governor of Virginia, and out 
of tihis question a controversy arose wihich \\ias prosecuted witli 
great warmth b\' the Southern press. Selward saw that by this 
discussioni he Ivad become odious at the South, and that his 
chances for the Presidency by tihei laid of Southern votes, were 
destroyed. From tbat time we ma.y date bis efforts to oi'ganize 
a. party R't the North sufficiently strong to elect a President. The 
old ^^"lhig party resisted all his efforts to produce this result, and 
kept a bold national front until its ovorwhelming defeat in 18.12. 
Hiiis time llicn' lanii' tu strike, au'd out af that defeat Ave can 
trace till' lirst ])alpal)lc and dpcn attempts to, form wliat is in- 
t;^;idenl to be a great XoitlnTii Abol'iition party, and which have 
been developed iindcr tlu' name of the Republican party. It 
wias in accordance with this plan that the siiavery lagitaition ha;s 
been made so jirominent a subject of ])nl)lic discussion in this 
State. U was in accord'aiice with this j)lan that Wilson of 
Mass-achusetts, i-'ord of Ohio, and Jolmson of Pennsylvania, 



38 

^^•itlld'rtn^• from tlie American N/atioiiial Convemtion at Pliiladel- 
pliia in June- iast. It was in aecordajicei witJh this plan that 
the Seward Ieader.s attempted to get the control of the American 
Councils in this ytatf, in oixler to tm-.n them as la "body into the 
Seward coalition. Look at these facts for a momient. See 
the bogus members of tlie American party last A\'inter voting for 
Sewawl for tlie Senate. See Ford go back to Ohio from the 
Philadelpliia Convention and run on the Sdward coalition ticket 
for Lieut. Ciovernor. See- Wilson in Massacliusetts and Johnson 
in Pennsylvania as leaders of tJie Eepubliean party, and you will 
undersitand ^iiat is imtended by a union of a^lil thei elememts of 
freedom, and you will see the hand of \Vm. H. Seward beliind 
all, managing the wires and preparing the ropeis. for his succesision 
to the Presidential chair in 1856. 

Xew York is the great cemtre of Xortheirn politics, and upon 
her soil must be fought and won the battle of succes.sion before 
any great sucieess may be looked for. With ithe addition of the 
]^Iaine law excitemenit, a.nid the skill in management of the^ Sew- 
ard leaders-, and while the strength of the Am-ei-ican painty was 
yet untried and •\\ithou't coniidenee, the Seward coalition succeed- 
ed in elecitiing Clark, Governor of this State last fall, a.nid Seward 
-WAS returned to the Senate. But we are now approaching a 
contest of a difterent character. The Ameriieaa Party has dis- 
covered the enemies Im-ldng in its fold, and has become pm-iiied 
and nationalized. It has a'cciuired during the lasit year inicrea.sed 
numbers and increased confidence, and lit approaches the contest 
with the strongest, assurance of sueoess. Union anid satisfac- 
tion every u- here abound in its iianks, and a wmrm zeal in the 
cause inspires its members. If there is any hope for the prin- 
ciple for which it contends, now, if ever, it must succeed. 

Let us then take as a basis for our future political calucula- 
tion, the triumph of the American Party in New York. Where, 
then, stands the Seward dynasty? Where, then, is the coalition 
of the elements of freedom? Wheve is Seward: defeated already 
in -Maine and Pennsyhania— with a very feeble triumph in Ohio — 
with no show of a party in Indiana- and the States oif the far 
A\est— and A\ith no party in Conneeiticut, and the jn-ospedt of a 
very uncertain sicrub-racc in Massachusetts. How have the 
hurdL"^ of Semiachcrib heen scattered! How have the mighty 



39 

fallen! Where are tlie elements, of t'liis me^v Republieanism ? 
From tlie future we liear a dim. eelio answi-, wlieire? 

But we ha!ve now a more convincing and palpabte proof that 
Republicanism and the Seward prognamme is a failim^e. Tlie 
Democratic Journal bias deserted it. No weaitber cock ever in- 
dicated the direction of the wind— -no bloodhoamd could eviea- 
scent out tlic turn in a trail quicker than the. sly and cunning 
(ulitor of the Journal can discover a change in the curnent of 
public opiniion. It would pr'obably be unfair to enter into the 
private controversies of the unihiai>py faanily, a.md to parade be- 
fore the publiic the discord and bickerings th;at have grown up of 
late betAveen tlie senior and junior editors of that association of 
sweetnessi. It is, ho\\cver, well knowir that Unele T'obey, from 
the first, went uurmly into the Sewaird siohienie. He diiank 
A\-itli Ch-ambers— went to Temperance Conventions v^T.tli Cham- 
bers, and \\as in aid respects as neai- like; Qiiamberis as natural 
aptness for imitation would permit. It is even said thiat he 
aiped Chiambeiis so nearly, tlnat it \\a:s dilficulle to teJl which was 
the bigger ape of the two. They corresponded together, and 
Unclie Toibey kept the Journal siailing A'ery liands'omely under 
the direction of CWamlbers, so as to till 'her sails most beiaaiti- 
fully with the Republican breeze. Buit a change came over the 
spirit of Tobey's dream. The Republican party and the [Maine 
Laiw party, A\iiich in this ^county happenLs to. be the same 
tiling, spotted Tobey either by the smell of his brelath, or in 
some other wlay, and he Avas not. appointed as a. delegate to the 
Temperance or Republican State Conventions, and therefore 
failed tio oonnect witli, Ghambers. The n°x!t week lo! )and be- 
hold! the Kingston Democratic Jonrnal is. off thfe. tr'ack. "It 
has oast off \\ith the old love, a.nd put on with the new." The 
Repulblican party in I'lster Connty has burst up. Tobey, the 
engineer for the County, as Chlambers i,s for the. State, h^is col- 
kipsed a flue. Romeyn writes an article in whi!ch he turns the 
Journal short off from RepuWieaniism, and makes the siweetest 
allusions to two of the candidates on the Ameriean ticket in 
particula.r, and the other candidiafces in general. 

We may now pause, before these prodigietS of hypocrisy and 
cunning, and witness their exposure and disgrace. Tobey, the 
friend of the Republican and Temperance men, 1st aid-de-camp 



40 

of Engin-eer Cliamlx^'s. is soiiit home and iiepirdia'ted by liis par- 
ties. They will' nothing- of liiim. Ronioyn, the Whig Cemtral 
OonimStteemani for long, long yelars, now reij>iKlia.ted asnd cursed 
by his feilloiw memfbieiis — ^aina'thenna^bized by his own central com- 
mittee. Thus we see the ho,pies of Seward and our own sweet 
editors of the Joiirnal all vaiiish in thin air — ^^they hiave been 
weiighed m tine Iwilance of j'tiblic opiniion and found Avainting. 
Htertceforth they are the subjects of a pollitical obliivio,n from 
wihic'h the ])eople will never wish to recaill them. 

"AN .\JWISER AS IS AN ADVISEE." 
(Augusit 23. 1855.) 

The Ulstci' IiPiuitoliean: was eonsideraibly n«ttled, although 
it ip.reteuded to; he amused, lalt the manner we isihoiwed up tlie 
results of a fusion ibetween the Hards and the Softis. We are 
called by that a,miaible editor, in a, style of languagie he ac- 
quired in his clock ispeeulatiions, "An adviser as is an adviser." 
The name is cor'rect. though not in^ the senisie iintended. We are 
not aware tiiiat wc h'ave in tlie least lost the right of advising 
or counseling with the Hards or National Democrats of this 
CiOiunty, or that thiey have taken a position on amy question of 
the day contrary to the doctrines wei havei advocateid. At the 
time of the division ihetween the Hards and. Softs in 1853, we 
were found where the Republican was not, true toi Demlocratic 
principles, and have so continued to this time. We do not 
know that our course has heen condemned in any particular by 
the Natioual Deimoicracy of ithis County. If, then, an unwavering 
support of the principles oif the National! Democracy gives us 
any title to the high preT'ogative- of gi\'ing advice, we miost 
certainly have it, the Oipiuion of ihe Ulster Republican', which 
has failed in this j>artiicul'ar, to the contrary jiotiwith standing. 

We are noit yet cionvinced thait ithe insigniticanit faction in 
this State that cl'inigs to the shattered fragmenits of the Pierce 
adniliils'ti^ation, is the '"'Simon pure DeuTocracy." If such a 
result. Ixippens, then we want n'o mi.siuider.s.ttinding on the sub- 
ject; •wo are not of them And if the Hards in this Ccmnty 
are so much softened 1)'>' tlie gloirious tran.siactions of the four 
}'ears of misgovemment of (leneral Pierce — ^the taking of Gray- 
toiwn, the coaif usion, bloodshed aaid ooitlawTy in Kanisas, and the 



41 

giieat efforts and great failm-o in acquiring Cuba — ^a.? to become 
a pari of such a ''Simou pure Demoicracj'," we are not of them. 
If we understand tire principles of the Haa'd Shell party, tliey 
cam liaA-e no sympathy for thei Editor of the Republican. He 
S'epaa-'ated from the Xational Democracy in 1853, and preferred 
the Sheriff's printing to the honor of advocating cora-ect princi- 
ples, and during the whole time that has succeeded, he has loaded 
ajll who did not folloiw him with the vilest personal abuse. We 
do not know that he has ever recanted or acknowledged his 
transgressions, or desired t!o be: let back into their rauks. By 
what authodty, then, does he meddle^ with the Haa'ds, or dictato 
to them in regard to' their advisei%s .' 

As Xatioual politics now istand, there are aictually but two 
parties: the American party and the Anti-American party. The 
members of Pierce's cabinet, with a diiscernment in poliitical in- 
trigue in which tliere aire no supeaiors, hiave organized the shattea-ed 
remains of their party on the oppoisitioin to the American senti- 
ment as tlieir working basis, and all who join that party must 
take the stigma and disgrace that now aaid ever will rest upon 
the present admimstration. We foresaiw the result six months 
a.go, and warned our readers of it. The facts are now plainly 
hetfore them in the results of the' recent electious in North 
Carolina, Alabama, Kentucky and Tennessee. The Administra- 
tion, to show its zeal in the new cause-, has turned every man 
suspected of Americanism out of employmeut, even down to 
the carpenters at work at the public buildings. Secretary 
IMJarcy, if he had now a fifty cent job of repairs to the seat of 
his breeches, would be las careful not to give the contract to a 
man suspected of Know Xothingism, as he would be to have it 
allowed in his bill of expenses. 

The 'Hards, at the timci of their separatilon from the Softs, 
felt a virtuous indignation at tlie conduct of General Pierce, 
whicili they have since that time constantly expa-essed. There 
can be nothing noble or 3ionorable in peaceably deliivering 
themselves up into his hands, and becoming his supple instru- 
ments as the Softs now are in this Staite. Coriiipt demagogues 
seeking for office are std'iving to get them to do so; but if they 
Ijlindly consent, they Avill find that they have: bartered their 
true interests for an opportunity to confer a place at the public 

6 



43 

cx"ib upou men utterly uiiTX-orthy of tlie gift. We liave noticed 
tliat when important offices axe at stake, we hear much about 
fusion, but when othier places that do not pay so ^\•ell are to be 
filled, fusion does not seem to be muc^h of a desideratum. We 
cannot helip drawing the infei'enoe that what we hear now-a- 
days aboivt fusion, comes less from the j>eople than it does from 
the heartless office-seekers. We shall, therefore, raise our voice 
against it, however much such advice may be unpleasant to the 
editor of the Republican. The public may rest assured that we 
don't square our conduct by his desires, and that we sliaU give 
oiu' AJewis and our advice regardlless of his criticisms. 

WHO AEE THE ^lOULDERS OF PUBLIC SEXTBIENT? 
(August 30, 1855.) 

To many of our readers the question we propose will seem 
to involve a paradox, for as in the whole univea-se there are not 
two counteuanees in whose contom- and expression tiere is an 
exact similarity, so it neA'er happens that men's opinions and 
sentiments entirely coincide in all tJie details of any subject. 
"Men's judgments like their ^^^tches, none 
Go just alike, yet eacJi believes his own." 

The eye and nose of one man may so nearly resemble the 
same features of another as to deceive the most expert and 
fastidious, but no one can mistake the strong and marked pe- 
culiarity that distingiiishes the face of every human creature 
so two men may see tlie sajne events but vdW draw from them 
entirely different oonelusions, and it is equally true that no two 
men look alike or think alike. But notwithstanding this dis- 
similarity of opinion, the sv\ay of parties and the paxtisaai strife 
that is engenered in every community, and the divisions of par- 
tisans among themselves, and the constant and unending dis- 
sensions that are ever alive in the social and political organiza- 
tions of society, no one can fail to disoovei- that every nation ex- 
hibits a strong and distinct peculiarity in its haibits anid senti- 
ments to disitingnish it from others, iivery natioui has a pre- 
dominant and controlling Public Sentiment, ajid whether it be 
an Absolutism or a pure Democi-aej", g-overnment must eater to 
this peculiarity, or the governed will no longer submit to its 



43 

authority. Tlie Czar of Rusisiai, while he indulges the religious 
enthusiasm of his people, is the most arbitrary autocrat ia the 
workl, but vile and abject as are liis subjects in their submis- 
sion, they would not suffer the first im-oad upon their national- 
ity — their controlling' public sentiment. In this counti'y, 
where revolution is ea>sy and government rests wholly on a pure 
and unconaipted nationality, it is not an improper question to 
ask, Who are the ^Iouldea-.s of Public Sentiment? 

Solon and Lycurgus gave to Athens and Sparta their 
pristme freedom and heroic simplicity. Demosthenes aroiuied 
the energy that overtlu'ew Philip of Macadon. Cicero and Ter- 
etnce imi>resfied on the Roman mind the maxim, that virtue was 
the som'ce of happiness. Virgil tlu-ew the chai-m of poetry 
ovei' rui'al simplicity, and the beauty of a garden over the 
Augustan Age. ^lilton pictm-ed the rebellion of the Angels, 
and filled the Christian religion with a sublime imagery. Vol- 
taire and Rousseau poisoned the French literatirre and fixed 
upon France the stain of a national infidelity. 

Such are a few, who in former ages have set their stamp 
on the public sentiment, here pouring a flood of patriotism and 
virtue into the national heart, there with the voice of a Siren 
guiding the masises to ajiarchy and infidelity. 

But various causes have happened to reduce the effect of in- 
dividuals. The more general dilfusiou of intelligence, and the 
facilities for requiring a liberal education, have made the com- 
mon mind more conscious of its own strength, and more sus- 
picious and incredulous of the guidance of others. In this 
country especially human rights stand on an equal basis and in- 
dividual pre-eminence is rare. The eloquence of Otis and Henry 
in our earlier existence as a nation, fanned into a flame the 
sparks of Liberty, and the bonds of British oppression were 
shaken off. But the character of the people ha^i grown more re- 
served as the experiment of our government ripens imto maturity, 
and is rapidly settling down into a finn nationality. In a coun- 
try like Fraaioo, where pubMc sentiment is manufactured at 
Paris, and is adopted rapidly by its country towns, with the 
dress of the metropolis, it is an easier matter for individuals to 
move the political machinery of the nation. But with us the 
North, the Sauth, tiie Ea.3t and the West will shortly be no iin- 



44 

equal rivals iu commercial aiid political streiigtii, udid the dif- 
ferent States of tlie Uiiiou foimiiiig distinct, social and political 
communities-, render tlic control of no one sectiom over the other 
in the mvtion entirely impossible. Wa need mot look then to 
see aniy one man obtfliaing a very strong influence in the whole 
oouritix-. But our national ojnnions must be of gradual growth, 
depending upon various causes and accidents. The impulse of 
the masses to study for themselves will lead them inito a thou- 
sand difierent diannels of imfoi-mation and bring into the united 
mind a varied and extensive learning, out of wliich the character 
o-f the country, and its eminence in the eyes of other nations iu 
science, laws, politics and religion will gradually be developed. 
In a country of great extent and of conflicting Icaal interests, 
though seetionial and pantiail primicipleis may for a wihile prevail, 
they can never obtfva entire success. Party spirit and indi- 
vidual ambition will at times summoai such influence to tiieir 
aid, but tlie calmer judgments of those who will view evea-y 
principle without the bias of personal interest, will diseard them 
and fix themselves ultimately on measui-eis and sentiments that 
are bi-uad and general iu their application, and equal in their 
■effects. If then, a-mid all tho variouis .shade.s of ideas and 
opinions, tlilalt iaiiso, if there' is, as it were, balancing on the 
conflicting shades, protean forms and unending varieties of 
thought and opinion, a public sentiment that distinguishes our 
nationality, it must be of such nature that the whole country 
can unite iu its expression, and other nations judg-e us by its 
character. 

Having thus endeavored to delineate, briefly within the com- 
pass of a newspai>er article, the nature of Public Sentiment, 
ami tlie manner in ^A'hich it is developed, we claim with profes- 
sional vanity common to the disciples of the immortal Faust, 
that the American Press is the moulder of the pvtblic sentiment. 
The Press, "the dread of tyrants," since it commenced its la.bors 
in a secluded garret in the dark ages, imtil the present time, 
never breathed its denunciations against corruii>tion and op- 
pression; its praises of public virtue; its rebukes against tU- 
pravcd, and its encouragement to a pui'c and healthy literature 
moa-« freely than in tbis country and iji the present a.ge. A 
fireside is rarely found, however -secluded in the j-et gloomy 



45 

wilderness of the remotest isettlemen't, that is uiO,t cheered by 
oommiiiiioii with the -world through the hiunble columns of a 
newspaper. The soldier returning home from a crusade to re- 
cover the sepulchre of the Savior, with talcs of chivalry and the 
glory of having seen Jerusalem, was never greeted Mith more 
eiagei-nieiss and pleasure, or juore clothed with an air off wisdoim 
than the public jum-nal in its regular visit to tlie family circle. 
From it, the boy draA\s the firiit lesson of his political creed; the 
maiden, the beginning of Koniancc and Poetry, and to all it is 
rich with the passing history of distant countries, and an as- 
Jiurance of the safety of their own. 

It is the peculiar glory of the magnetic needle thait it led to 
the discovery of a ne\\- world; of the invention of steam naviga- 
gation, that intercourse among nations, has become familiar; of 
the ingenius and simple club-axe that the vast American forests 
have fallen suddenly to the earth, but to the American i>ress 
it remains to cast a Hood of light over all these noble works, 
and as the minstrel in days of chivalry was the author of the 
warrior's fame, so it is to the press at wMcii I'Yanklin develoiJed 
hiis early genius. muX Av'herc many of our great men, since hi-, 
day, ha\e acquired a nervous arm and pen, to cro'wn every work 
of mind with a briglitcr kis'tre and a more enduring fame — 

"To ex-alt 
Man's generous aim to all diviner deeds; 
To chase eaeli paitial )ua-i>ose from Jiis brwtst. 
And througli the mists of passion and of senvse, 
And tlirough the tossing tide of chance and pain 
To liold his course unfaltering'."' 



A LECTURE 

upon 

SIR HENRY VANE THE YOUNGER, 

Before the Kingston Literary Association on Friday, Feb. '^7, 185(, 
by William Lounsbery, of Kingston, N. Y. 



Ladies and GenitleuuHi: Two Inuuclred y^eiars agu ther-e was 
istandinig in Qu<?en Streiet, in Bositon, a. sniaill liouse, which Avas 
pointed out with a religious int^res^t to the s'traaiger, as having 
l)«ien the reisideiioe oif Gove<iinoa- ^''iUlc. The simple, Pm'itan 
aroliiteetmv oif the buildimg has some time since given place to 
the eoimpoisite, and more .s>ui>e>rb style of our me'tropolitan resi- 
ckinoes. A thriving and wealthy popula;tion li-ave built their 
pakoe's on and a^boUit the site of tliis simple dwelling, and tlic 
lo<'al initeresit, w^hieh was once directed toiwardis it, would haixITy 
now bo suffic-ienit to canse tihie lawner to trace liis title through 
th« piles of deeds and wills l)y \A'ihicJi it has descemled from the 
Governor of 'the feeble eoilany of ilassiaohuseitts' Bay. It wonld 
be imposisAble ito excate in this audienice- a thrill of local intei-eisit, 
or to induce you to go as piligrims to Basiton to visit :tlie spot 
where the house on'ee stood, or to dig for euriosi/ties among tlie 
decayed elements of a building, wiliich woii'ld nioAv be an eye-siore 
'to its melglibors. if it bad been allo\\-eid to siuwive the destanic- 
tion and rebuiildiug, wbieh is a pant of 'tbis progressive age. I 
\\ill propose no such antiquarian rescaix-.h. i\y wihieh to atld 
eitaiaTige specimeas of ruins to a cm-iosity ishop. But tJie same 
iSiontimenite Which dii-eoted the attention of tlie Bositonfian to ain 
object associated with a man esitcemed and boaiorcd, has drawn 
us hithca- to investigate a chaiucter initima'tely connected witih 
the c«r]y hisitory of our oounti-y a>nd institutions. The house 
has perished a.mid the general wTock of mabtei'; but the v\an. 
with whom it is associated is ncrt. the aubjoct of orblivioai. Foot 



47' 

him tlDore is a. place in liistory— an enduring tomb by vvihioh bis 
meimoiy .sbaJl be perpetuated, wihiJe popular liberty and free 
'GOBScience remain the noble iniberitance of hh character and 
infiueiucp. As pious JWoslems pay tili.'oir yearly visit to the tomb 
of Mohii-unmet. it becomes. u'S to make •r. pilgniiniaioie bo tie shrime 
from wlienee was lighted the tordi of civil and religioais liberity, 
whtch, bmnts mow ao brightly aniiomg us. I propose, therefore, 
tonight to •revie\v tliie Mfe of Coveini'or Vane, or Sir 
Hemy Viante the Yonngeir, ais lie is betlt^er kniawn and 
wibhont entering wi.th painful aoclmv^py into a mimite 
biographical ^^ketoh of ilniis Jife, or diisieuis«;ing disputed points 
of ,Ms character, to tiiace has intlueiice ais a. staitiesniaju in 
England and Aniierica in directing tlie current of e^-entis towards 
the adop'tiow of our l>eloived con.s,titution. 1 propo,ae: to trace 
tb>e mysteiiiOiU'S flort-une of this coiintiy, by whicJi tihe son of an 
English Lord was to lay tlio foundatiou of Americain indepen- 
dence, and by his diairaot'er and influenee weave the eix>wnang 
garland of Amieriean liberty. 

It is a curions sit-udy to observe ihe cflcct of a. single mind 
upon the curi-ent of a nation's histoay.- How a principle falling 
from an humble source upoai itlve world may, like the little cloud 
just gatliering in the horizon, he the forerunner of a, j^torm 
tliat will tear away ancient landinaa-ks and the mo.sit dm-able 
istructures. From the ten tliousaiid battles which have been 

fought— from tlie fields which have been fertilized ly carnage 

from tlie revolutions whicli have s^haken em.pii-es, we can. trace 
ovenits back as ^^•e can; proceed towards the source of mighty 
rivers, UiUltil we come at laist tio find a little spring just trickeling 
from the side of the rock. 

In tnacing a rich and valuable i>riiK-iple to its source we aire 
riften tiirned from onr direction in the crooked labyrinth of 
evenits, and as the miner's rod is often bent from the pure vein 
of gold by tliei i>rftsenee of a basier metal, so ^\•e are deluded into 
false notions an^d attribute results to unworthy- ca\ise.s; but in- 
defatigable and unwearied re,seareh will lead ^tlie student and the 
minei- nltimately upon the pure bed of fine gold, and the piu-e 
spring Avhesnce it exude<l forth to the naked eye. Evemts, which 
seemed like the goldlen qnantz, sit^rewed around by mere ehaaice. 



48 

will appear, tben, as th© einmnataioB from a d<}te'p spring of a 
clear and well defined pur{>osie. 

A mysterious in-ovidenee conlducted Columbus itliroiigh his 
crowded iniaginiiigs iaud a'lniost super-lumian difficulties to itlie 
dji'seoTery of America^ The saruie coii'tii-olling influeiice weaved 
■the hiearit and guided the hand of the AimieaTlcaini yeomaiuiy 
'through tile trying houm of th« ReiN-oluitioii. Arid it- was no 
less the purpose of the Divinte mind to evolvei fix>m the comteiits 
of the old w'Oiild the pure do<?trineis of religions and civil liberty , 
to build them fresih and bright amid the neiw temple of American 
freedom. 

I whall feel satisfied if T can traee to yoai, tonight, the pant 
aated by Sir Hemy Vame the Younger, in the aeicomplisihmenft 
of t.his purpose : folilowing him iu hiw early connection wiit.li our 
csoloniai hJLSltory and afterwards in hiis co>uii.eeitiOn mith 'the retvo- 
luition in England, wliic'h resmlted in the OA-erithrow of Chaades 
the first, and the subsequent struggle and failure of the English 
people to estaibliwh upou' a firm basis a system of conistitntional 
liberty. 

Sir Henry Vaaie tih'e Youaiger, the ehlest son of Sir Henry 
Vane, was born in Kent County, in England, in the year 1612. 
He receiA'ed the educaition whieh was usuvally given by the English 
nobility to those, w^io were in due course to iniierit the paternal 
estate and dignities, and at the age of sixteen he wias a colle'gian 
at Oxford. At this time he began to be .soniewbat eccentric in 
religioiu'i matters, that is, he exhibited more of it tiian is usually 
discoverable among yoaimg Lords, and becoming interested in 
th'eology he crossed to the' Continen;!. Hiis- father was theu 
Comptrollea- O'f the househoid of King Cliarles thiei firsit, and deep- 
ly involved in the intriigues- and dissipait ions of the royal favor- 
iilejs. He wais annoyed that his son shonild be so heterodex, as 
to be inclined to theologicai studies, iusitead of hawks and hounds, 
and he directed the attenititon of Chiarles and Laud, then Bishop 
of London, to tli© young colliegian as a siubjeet that needed the 
closer care of the church and the King. Charles and the Bisliop 
each gave the A-;oung scion of the Vane fainiily thie benefit of their 
advice, in their sej^arate audilcTiiee ohaimbers, and pointed to the 
older repreisenitative of the fami'ly, as a fitting example of loyalty 
and orthodoxy. But the young gentleman wa^ neither com- 



49 

vinced by 'tibe promises oif Chiartes' or tihie laaigumentgi of the 
Bisliop, and conitimiied 'Jiiis studies land disciisisdioins uponi tte neiw 
bheorieis wihicli were every day sii>rm.ginig into life. 

At Geiiie-va. the Reifoa-miers fiii:st threw do'wn the glove at the 
feet of !the Ronri's'h Ohureli. lancl clialleniged her champiions to 
meoit 'them im t'liie'iii- ons^et upon, her lerrors and albuaes. Upon 
■the little Eiepiiblie of iSwiitzerkmd, througfli the progress, of tfee 
Refoinma'tiioiii. 'the ..siweilis of papial BuUiS' lanid Edicts Ited broken in 
vain, and evei-j' isvieceissive sairge of supersttiitiom hiad found her 
)-ami>artsi firm and unbrokeni; -and wihile tbte first converts 
to Luitlher's preiachimg 'had one by one dropped 'back to their old 
allegiance to 'thie Popes, the nidbfe sipirit of the He-lvitian locked 
in by the Alps, ihiad beM is'teiadiiy fast ito ithe doctrines of the 
Itefoirmerf.. in the beiginning of Ithie seveniteentb century Geneva 
wa« the sicihlooJ of 'the tbeoillogieail iStudenit, la'nd gave the best di- 
plionM's to Doctors of Divinlity, as Italy and Paris now do to 
arttsts 'and tlaaJors. Tbiitiher young Viane directed his steps aaid 
bis acitive mind wais soon, iiwolved in the miazies. of mieitaphyiSiics 
and theology. He imbibed tbe prineipl'es of the Reformation 
im their fulleisf extent, and returned to England more thoroughly 
imbued by the doctrines of free thoughlt and opinion, than had 
over been exhibited in the mtast radical theses of Luther or 
Zwingle While Luther on,ly aimeid in itbe first pla.ce ait br«\.k- 
inig the power of Puome amd building up a Protestant hierarchy in 
its isitead. Vane de.signed to establislh the most absolute and un- 
qitailified liberty in reli'gious beilief — ^to desti-^oy every sitandard 
by wbiich orthodoxy sihoukl be defined and heterodoxy pixnished. 
In this particullar is his desigiii to be distinigiiished from every 
'Otiher. Tllie Reform a.t ion waisi intended to break 'the power of the 
Poipes, wliicih was becoming despotic and tyrannical, an'd'to esta.b- 
liah religious organizationis more liberal and tolerant. Vane's 
\\ias the principle of unlversail toleraitiion. Has mind was large 
enough to gra.sp a rel'igioni as comprehenisive anid Oatholic as. the 
world. He was a Chirisitiian. in the largest and mo'st comprehen.'- 
si've sense of that word. A maistter of all the absftruse'st points 
.of the science of religion, his intellect and framiie of mind, were 
of that enlarged descriptioni, thait, wbile he held his oiwm viiews 
in a high and spiritual sense, he sought to imbibe truth from 
every system of faith and every form o'f religionj. He looked 

7 



50 

witih the eye of a propliiat thiiou|gli many g6nem>tkms, to the time 
when those whk) liiave tbe r«ipiiite and credit to be tihe cliurcih or 
ehurohes of Christ under isonie one of thei forms and outward 
orders, approved by tliie poiWoa\s of the wOrlid,. shioiild no longer 
lihe thie rule of eonifoimity iu doctjine, worslliip and cImu'cIi to 
all the rest by oomiijulsion and persecuit'ioii>. Bu't the living mem- 
bers of Christ's 'body sihould be made maniifesit. in distimction 
from all ithiose thiat 'have the u'ame to live but are dead. His 
(•ree<l was new 'and sttartling to the EngHsli sita:tesm(an aiiid theo- 
logtian, and was aiscribed by them to thei "workings of an^ un- 
(jiiiet fancy." 

Upon 'his return .to England, Viane's fa'ther wub alarmied and 
luontiified, that liis son, who wais ito inherit his estate and honors, 
Bliiould liiave contiiaeted a liei-fesy so dianig^a-oxis to- tlie Ghui'di of 
Enigland and his own position as .tlie> fa'vorite orf tihe King, and 
tbnough bis instriimenrtality Vane is again bro-uglit up before the 
Iving and the Bishop There is no doubt, but thlalt Oliarles offered 
the young Republic'an recusant, a luciiaitive and honorable ]>o- 
!S)i(tioni uipon the conditions of his r.eea,nitaltiion , and from Laaid's im- 
petuous and arbitriary temper, \\'e oan imagine isioiuiewHiat. of the 
storm thait fell upon the young man's creed. But his purpose 
w'as fixed, and ueitluer tlie bribes of KiiKg Charles or the violenee 
of the Bishop could bring hiim baek toi his allegiance. He de- 
oMne<l the offers of tlie Kiang and calmly met the imiperious and 
]jla.ssioinate reproaehes of Laud, and while tibe Court was ailarmed 
t/hait itbe "son and heir" of the favorite minister of Charles should 
embrace a heresy, and lili* father A\ias fearful that his son would 
embarrass and weaken his influence, young Vane suddenly an- 
iioum-ed bis determin(atioiii to k>iave his country. 

Sueb wais the energy oif Vatue's pm'pose, tbait Ih-e threw^ aslide 
the eudearments of a home in bis na'tive land, to dast bis for- 
tunles with his i>rinoiples upon the- wilderness shore's of the New 
World. It was not a despertiite quest for adventure; it 'was not 
a,s a fugitive from cd'iminal retriibution ; it was not even from 
motives oif avarice, itbat the eldest sioin of a noble, the direct heir 
of honors and an immense estate shou'ld choose insitead of biding 
the ((uiet ami certain; mn'taition of events, to taike Ms doubtful 
<iiraneeis among the Puritan I'efug'ees aniiid .the \v'i'lds of America. 
It was the inspiration of la radble deisitiny tliait led itlbis iseion of 
the Englifth nobility not jiet 23 years of age to quit the sweett al- 



51 

liirerueuits af a. liiouie — ^^tbe .seductiive pleasures of tch.e coiu-«t — ^fior 
tho sufferings ared privaitiioiis of an unreclaimed aaid howling 
^^'i]d'em!eslo•. 

^'alne lainded in Boston iu 1U35,. atboiiit ten yeans :af ter Wihite, a 
Punibam minsis'ter of Dorohesiter, had bi^afched vitality into the 
enterprisie ito plianit n TOlonjy under thie 'title lof the G'overnior and 
Company of IMaiSiSiachuseltts Bay in Xeiw Eiuglaind. The colony 
had hung together during this itime mider the most trying disas- 
ters, aind had gracUialily advaiioed to be ithe most importanit of all! 
the New Engla.nd eolonies. It was composed enitii-'ely of emi- 
grajits from England, who broughit with them the peculiar noitdoiis 
and nationality of itheir native country. Among those who bad 
come out under the tirs't auspices of the couiij>a'ny were men who 
'had maintainicd lilanorable positiouis in .the old country, and were 
^^•elll caleulaited to guide the ©oimise of a new one. To 'their in- 
fiuenoe .is to be atti'ibtited tihe fact thialt ithle colony of jMlasisachii- 
aetts Bay soon outstripped the oithens in igi'a\\1th and viglor. In 
the ten years of tliie eoloiw's existence before Vane's arrivaJ the 
formative elements of a great empire had been gradually organ- 
ized, i-epresenting in miniature the jostling of principles at the 
same time going on in England. Tlie. colony, thougilx amall in 
numbers, had become of great IraportaujCe to the WorM, a<s 
bearing in its bosioin the sltamina from whicJi tlie great prairies 
of the west were to l>e populated with a thriviing and free people 
— from wbich principles wei^e to be evolved that should govern 
a great Republic. 

It was a noble 'tliought of the Dorchesitei- Puritan to pMn^it 
a pure religioin among the quidt shades of America, "and who 
could doubt that at the voice of undetiled religion^ the wilder- 
ness would change to a paradise for a peojde who lived under a 
bond with the omnipotent God ?" 

The colony founded in tJiia spirit grew more rapidly than 
any of tho companies wMch had preceded it to the chores of 
America. The influence of ithe stocMiolders of the company in the 
mother count rj- brouglit over- a large number of imimigra(nts 
and in the year Vane arrive!d ajbout three thousand settlers were 
added to this Puritan colony — nearly all of them Puritans im- 
bued with republieainisim. 

It ba« always been 'tlhe pride lanid boaisit of the Puritan 
refug!e«is who planted ithe colony oif iMasoaahuiaetts Bay, thart 



53 

their object \v.as to establish for thetmseilves fre«dain of religioin 
\\-ors.l)ip. Tliodr canifc phrases — .their disguist for Maypoles— their 
rcs{>e<-t for Old Testament qujatations — their peculiar language 
and customs would not conform to the Church of England and 
^they h.ad fretted away all h'apes of refonndng 'tlie errors and 
vices S(0 deeply rooted in their parent religion and govea-nmeniit, 
ami they luvd deberminied to build up a pur'^ religious esibahlislh- 
ment upon 't^liie desolate shores ci New Engla'ud. Their cant and 
their sombre dresis and manners were mot in fiaishdon in England, 
but t.hey had determined upon erecting .a new dyniasity w ith in- 
stitutions ami habits peculiarly 'the-u- own. It lias always been 
remarked thalt a slave makes the most cruel anj arbitrary of 
sik.ve di-iver>. and it is upon this principle alone that we can 
accouirt for the intolerance of tlie ea^ly New England settlers. 
M home tliey luid been 'the persecuted of tlic governmenit and 
the ridicule of the ciount. T'hey had all their lives groaned un- 
der cruel exactions and unjust burthenis. It was now their 
turn to persecute. And 'human niatvu-e, always inoonisii'sitient, ex- 
liibited her crawniiig iniconisiiatency in t'lie colony of ^Maasa- 
chu setts Bay. 

Tho*e who had left their counti-y on. act».jum. of religiou-s en- 
thusiasm, brought with the.m a spirituial pride and arrogance 
that was more initoleran;t than the government Mlhich they had 
11p(1. I'he year before Vane's arnival the magistrates had han- 
isthied Roger Williamis from the colony, and a party s-piriit had 
.s,[>riing uj) as intiolerant and bigoted ais ever disgraced the annials 
of fanaitici-^m. 

Bancroft has thus aptly embodied the elements at war, in 
the colony, when Vane arrived : 

'•Amidsit the arroganee of spirittial ]>ride. the vagaries of un- 
disciplined imaginations, and the extravagancies to which the iu- 
ti-lleotual power may be led iii. itis ])ursuit of ultimate pninciplcs, 
the formation of two distinct parties maiy be perceived. Tlie 
first consisted of the orginal 'sattlei-s, the framens of the civil 
aoverniment. and their adherents; thev ^vlio were intent on thf 
foundation and preservation of a. eommoni wealth and were satis- 
fied with the established order of siocieity. They had founded 
their government on the basis of the church, and church mem- 
bership could be obtained only by the favor of the clergy ajid 



53 

a-n eseraplary Mfe. They drealded iinilimited freekiom of opimiooi 
as the pareiint of ruinous divisions. The cracks and iia\Ms in itht^ 
new building of tllio i-'ef oraia tion, t'hioughit the}", portend a faJil. 
I'lvey desired paitoatism, uuiion a^nd a ooimnioii lieart; they were 
eairnesit to confirm and build uip ithie .staite, the diild of their careis, 
and thieir soiTOWs. They were repiioached with being priest- 
ridden niaigistraties, under 'a covenaiut of works. 

■'The dtJiier panty was composed of indLvadiiiils, \\hio had ar- 
rived after the civil gtoveiniiment of ithe colony had Deen esitab- 
liislhed They oaimie fresh from the latudy of tihe tenets of Gen- 
eva, ,and their pride congisited in following' the prinoipleis of the 
reforniia.t.ion with logiea.I prefLsioni to ail ■tlileir conisequenoels. 
Thieir eyes were not primarily direated to the iinS(tituitions of 
^iaissaolnisebts. but to 't)iiK> dJoctrines of their religiouis syabem. 
They 'had come to th.e wiklerness for freedom of religious opin- 
ion; aiud thiey resiist',ed every form of despotism over the mind. 
To 'thiem the clergy of jMaissaohuseitts were the "iiisihers of persecu- 
tion, popish fa.ctors, who had not imbibed the true doetiines of 
Christian reform;' and they applietl to the linflueuioe of the 
Puriitian miniiSiters itlie principle whioli Lutl)er laaiid Oaivin had 
empl'oyied agadnis't the observa'ijcie 'awl pi-ettcnisionis of 'the Roman 
Church. Every politicail opinion, every philiosophical tenet, as- 
sumed in tJiose days a thieologieail form ; witJi the doioti-iiiie of 
juatifieaition by failth alone thiey d'erided tlie formalist y of the 
eistal)lished religion and by asserting that the Holy G hoist dwells 
in PN'ery believer, tliat the revelaition. of .the: Slpirit is superior 
to the miiiisti-y of the word, they srisitaiiued with imitensie fa,naiti- 
cigm the ix-rmanemt aultlilority of private judgmienlt." 

Shortly after Vane's arrival he waiS' eledted Goivernlor oif the 
colony, ai3 the successor of Wintbrop, who was oaiie of the origiinial 
patenlt/teis of the connpany. and had heeai. selected as its hrst 
Go\1ernor. Vane'is lel'eotion wais not a triumph of either one of 
fihese parities. lii a. party divisioni it is not likely that oiiie so 
j'ounig and inexperienced in the comdi'tion of ithe colony woiukl 
hiiive been chos'cn It wiau more proihably la comrplimenit to liiis 
disitinig'uished aibilities, and the elevated rank and favors, which 
he had left at home, to jodni the fwemien. of ^lasisadliiisetits in 
their exile. The aninoiinieament of his eleotion \\ias rcoeiveu 
with immense enthuisiaism by the pooplte, and m aditlition. to the 



54 

ordiuiaxy poipului- iiiia;niifesttati'on&, a ,sa.lute wias fired from flfiteeii 
large vestselis \\iiiicli wiea^e tliien in Basltoni 'hiaolbor. Tine party 
oontroversi^s, Avhicih lia'd gi\ieii awiay for a 'tijiie, to -tlie extnaloT- 
diiiary t'lutluvsiiasm excited in (tliie miiiTli* of the -aettlers 1iy the 
aippeiaraiiice of a young- lord of brilliajiit. taJomts and fiuiisilied •educa- 
tion vvea-e, howcA-er, soon reviv-ed Tlue day upioii whiicih he as- 
sumed office saw a formidable clique :i n\iiy«l against him including 
those wliio were propicrly isusipieious of one sio young ,a.nd untried, 
and thasfe ulio deemed themisielvpes imiore ca,pable of filling- tine 
piosii.tion land were jeailous of the e'n!th'UiHiiais.m wliicHi had carried 
Mm over their hreiads. This clique dettermimed to embaiTass^ his 
govieammemt; and the pairty diviisionis before alluded to wiere 
favoraibl'e 'to the isucceias of their dtesigns. 

^'ane had llnardly taken his- oiath of office before .a law wa« 
fi^a.med and brought forward by ,tbe maigistraites, :ana.]ogious to the 
alien laiw of England and tine polwy of j)ia,sspo!iits in European 
govermu'emts By 'tliiiis. la:w it was. proposied to ©u'bmat the quali- 
fieationis of each candidait'e, for admassion' as a member of thiC 
colony, ;to the miagisitriates', and that none, were lo' be rieceiwd 
•except :suoh :ais should -be; ia,Il/owed and appr'oved by 'them. 

Van-e opposed the meiasaire .as aai act of intolerance, aind upon 
■this point 'the opposition, to his adminiistralti;on. which had been 
itermenting simee his 'aecesisibn , gradamilly began' to cenlter its 
force.s. The fec'ling upon th© quiesition, gradually increased— the 
first party which I :haTei die'steriibed, 'a.nd M-hieh wa« helaided by 
Wintlu-op, reasoned .as follows: That as they were in their 
■awn country ojipnessed and in various ways, alfiicted in the ex- 
ercise of thedr ciomseieoieeis and in tlie expressdbn! and enfjoymenit 
of their own religious prindpJets a,nd woirship they would devise 
a, scheme of society in whioh far remoived from ail who differed 
from them, tliey miight enjoy f;heiir own institutions and profcf^is 
tflieir own principles without giving or sufiering molestaition and 
free fi-oiii all divisions, and dissent. \'ane on the behalf of the 
other party held that they w\w in a large -socielty had contended 
for nigiht of eomsaience wlieaii thiey were themsielveisi s^ufTerers 
could nwt under any pretext in a •society liowe\'er small turn 
Against others and upon points of speculative difference violate 
their righ,ts of conscience bemuse they liad acquired the power 
and oppor't unity to db it. 



55 

It iti ediSiV for us to diejtingiiiish befa\vocT]( the rigthit aiml the 
wrong siLdie of tine qiieation. Oiu- oounltry hala laidopted the ipriii- 
cijjles es paused by Vanie and liis i>arty, and the re is noi one who 
woiikl \vil;lln/gliy strike from o,ur conisltitiition this .notole^ spirit of 
tolenabiloini. We can with diflicaiiity coneeire thlat Va.n© sihioul'd 
ha\ie faiiled 'to coniviiiee tl),e settlers of the palpalble excellemce of 
a gToveiininienit founded upon his views. ^^■e think it eeritainily 
curiouis thait men shoiil'd iusiiis!t upon an adherence to uieasures 
against iw-liieh 'they had s'o iaite'ly aard sio jusitiy Coraipl'aiinied. The 
sitrifei ho'wever in' the colony waxed wa'PUi and exciting'. The 
ministters nearly all 't-ook sides with 'thei WiiDthrop paity and 
agai'Usit thie Cro\'e'rnior ; and a;s hais since l)ee'ii' exhibiteil by the 
New Engilaiud clerjr.x'. \\erc the master spiriits of fa'nalticisTn and 
initiolerauce'.. 

Most ail gi-e'at poiiltical controversies have, as we call them a 
isikJle isisiue, ami as in igi-eait balttles ^th^ fate of the daiy is fre- 
quently seittled by the Itakinlg' of an inconsiidea'able wiitpost so it 
happened in this contest. 

A woman, as slhe is deiscrihed in hisitory of "admiraWe under- 
standing" a'n-d "profitaible and soher cairria.ge'," of the name of 
Ann Huitehiu'son, h'ad begum about 'this time to exciitei atitemtion, 
and ,by her ability and eloqueiuce dre^w after her a llarg© party. 
Politics a.nd religion w^eve kindred suibjeiets- m tlhose times, amd 
]\ti'S. HultcWiU'Sion botli in 'tire pulipi't and upon the 's'tumip was 
quite* up to onr preisetot ikleais of a, stiiong-minde^l woniam. It 
appeai-^g ittet 'the first difficul'ty in which 'Mrs. Hutcliinson be- 
came involved wais thie entteDt'aining a. Uotioin in wgard to the 
peculiar office of tlue third pensKMi in ithe. Trinity. She held that 
'by the gift of the Holy flhO'St, spoken of iu' Scripture, was 
nieanlt an actuail communication of the Spirit of G-od to the 
lielievea-. ITpion this point all the min'isit'ers of the colony dif- 
fered with her, excepting tihe Rev. :\lr. Cotton, who wa.s a very 
intimate friend of Vatae, and her brother, John Wheelright. iMrs. 
Hutchinsion) was at onoe denounced as a hetreitic, a'nd, a'S S'he was 
supported and befriended by the Gowmor, who really 'thought 
thait ishe was not much worse for her ]jeculiar notion:, thie oppo- 
sition to her theology wias directed tto the upsetting of his go\-- 
ernme'nit. The dection, which fodtowed imon after for Gwernor, 
was belt ween WinJthr'op a'nd Van<-, and prodticed the most ani- 



56 

malted aaul violent coutest bfttivveen the twio pairltLos, of wMoh 
tihey were the resipec^lvc <?xponienits. ^Mrs. Huitdh-insoni seeans to 
have been the most efladent political supporter of Vane's re- 
dieotion, ami with true woman's comsibanoy amd courage, met the 
fiom'biiio<l sit.renfrth of 'the mimistei-s. The ministteris, however, 
bad tilie iadvainta.g'e of Mts. Hii't'chins'on in beimg allOowcd ;to vote, 
aind it iseems tJiialt Wilson, one of the minister*, ui[)on e*lieotioiv 
daiy, took laniother imost ungaliant ladvanltage of her siex, by 
climbing la ti^e and haranguing the electors in lii^ most engross- 
iiug iiind exeitinig- mianner. Wlva't would luaive 'boen the Conse- 
quence® of .siuoh mi imcidienJt with o;ur present noitioni* of women's 
rights it is ditticu'lt to detOTinin*. Had one of our late-r female 
doctors of divinity ibeen in the plaw of jNIns. HutcliimsOn, nn. ad- 
joiining itree, nO doubt, would have fu'rnis^hetl a iX)isition. ais high 
and imipreguable ,a!S the one occupied by Wilsoui, and the i^siilt 
might have been diffenemit with the cause of civil iliberty. 

Wilson's speech, however, cawied ithe day for Win'throp, aJid 
Vane and Coititon and Mv^. Hutchinsoin were in ithe m-imority. 
Tlie law, whieh haid been fraimed by the magisitrateisi, -was again 
brought forward. Vane was .sent by the Boston people fto' repre- 
sent t.heni ijii itllie Ijegisillaltiuie, but he was umable i:o stem the 
violent cuiiTent of the majority. The law was quickly passed 
wi'th the most aetive meaisiiires to eTiforeei ilt. 

Bult ithe spirit of the miaority wa» inot. so easily siibdued. 
Vane's eonisitijtueaiits in Bositon a't once declared agadnst its^ injus- 
tice and enormity, lamd when fiovernoT Winthrop returned aifter 
tihie cloise of itlhie sesisiloTi df thie Legislature, the inhabitamts re- 
fused to meet him upon his entry into tow^i with tlie usual cuis- 
toms of i-eapeot, and the public mind generallly throughout the 
colony isihowed much diseonteinit u|»n the subject of the la.w, so 
that Winthrop was driven to make- a public a.ppeal in its be'half 
and hiis own. A warm controveaisy ensueid in the newisipapers and 
in pi-inted pamphlets, muclv of which has perisilied. Much of it 
wa.s uisicless and ephemeral. ^!any legal ci'Uibbles and much mis- 
aipplie<l iscriptmre wm-a used on iMlth sides, \\-'hichi were never 
woilth preserving. But the true bent and mieaniiiig of eaeli sid<» 
hiaa beeni preserved and will atamid forever ais a niionument of the 
miaat impai'tajit political sitrugg'Ie' in the early hiisllory of this 
countTy. 



57 

Winlthrioip lairgued, tliait ;tih)e coloaiiy Avias a oommomviealth, a 
Iboidy pdliitic, formed 'by the 'consent of o. ceiltain comipany oif peo- 
ple 'to inlhialbi'fc togefcher for their inuitinal safety anid Aveilf are, and 
inaidie a vea-y pliaiusible) pleia, upon this definiiitioim, foT the airbitn-^aiy 
metasures of the Leigislaltm-e. in pioinit of pratecting the institu- 
'tioms which had been foirmed. 

Viame amisiv^'ei-ed thalt the siame atrgument wouM justify the 
oppi-eissionis whieh they hiad fled in itheir wvn coimitry, and the 
most crnell a'nd t^'nannieal meiasures of papacy itself, and argiietl 
that tliere 'should be no sltiaudard of faith oir lairbiitnaiy rule to 
reject >ainy one frotni the colony on account of a mere iSipecuLaitive 
difference in their religioits' creed. 

The adeia of a large and pow^erful goaieiTunent had not been 
coneeiiA'ied, insltiltntied upon a basis independent of neligioius eis- 
tabliisihments. Roige'r WilliiamiS exercised a .sOrt of patriarchial 
toleiratiou in hfe saniall An'Llagie upon Narragansett Bay, but to the 
Sifcatesimian of Engliamid, a scheme of that kind wla® as uBukmow/n 
and uintried las thie faMed Indies bef'ore tllie first voyaige of Co- 
lumbus; and .to those whio eaime fresh from an Eaigflish school 
of politics, Vane's argimient Wais wild and viisionary and they 
free^ly and ILberaMy called him traitor and fanlatbic; and such 
wonld Imve been his infamy had not a future geneiiatioin grasped 
Ms miighty aspirations amd placed him high among the martyrs 
for tnuth and liberty. 

Wintnrop and his party, nowevea-, had the gOA'ernmieint, aiod 
ais a nat.iii'al oonsequeince, gained the aj'gument. ]\Iris. Hutchin- 
son and her brother were banished. Cotton recanted, and Vane 
retuiTTied to EngJand. 

Vane was mot di-iwin froim the colony by his defeat. His 
mind, as was afterwards proved, was not of the cast to be over- 
come by siuch revenses. Ifc is perhaips imposisible now to discover 
the exact nioltive wbich influemeed him to return. But the war 
for civil aind religions libei-ity had begun in hi® native cOiinitry, 
and it ^vais his foi-ftunie to be dratwin' thither, to mingle in that 
mighty revolution, which shook England to her foundation, and 
gave to him the orown of martyrdom. 

It is quite likely that Vane's active mind foresaw that Co- 
llonial politics ^^-Ould l>e conitroliled by the coiu-se of even'ts in Eng- 
liatnd, and 'tlhat Ihe loniged to ender the decisive sitruggle which 

8 



58 

eviery day grew iruore tlu'ea-temliiig to' ifchie policy of Iving Clvarles. 

Tlie opposition to the ministry of George the Third, led by 
tlie Younger Pitt m itme Hi)iiste 'otf Commons, more thaa half 
fought for us the hatitles of 'tHie E.evo]iution. Tli'e ispeocliiesi made 
in our Oomgresia hy ithie ladiviersiarieis to Pi->esidieinit Polk's adauinis- 
(tion, impeded more than Santa Anmia's army the eonqiieisits of 
Generail Scott. And bad lour iDoble army aaid its gemerals in the 
Mexioam war toeen loss eoiiergeitic and. Ibna.viei, they would ha^'e 
beein defeated by our Members of CoingreiS's, recliniimg in lazy 
digniity, and Santa Anna, would for many a day h'a.ve rested has 
M'ooden leg in quiet luxviry in the Halls of the Montezumas. 

It was, no <loMht, in view olf sucli results that Vane tm-ned 
from his defeialts in (the: coiloniies, to soilve the probliem of Ameri- 
can toleration by returning to act his mighty part in the revo- 
'lutiont isoon to etnsue upon his nativie soil. The contest, which 
he had been waging, in the cotoniy of IMassaehusieitts Bay. was but 
lacting in minialtui'e the great drama for which he wais preparing. 
He changed only the scene from 'thie sihories of N^ew Eiiglantd to 
throw the influemcie oif his principles ilnito' the fount'ain from 
whence the stream of Tnimiigration watei to flow. We must now 
with him take leave of the colony, and the esteem and admira- 
tion which his character and services had excited there and fol- 
'low him back ito England while perfecting his noble destiny. 

Vatne returned to England in 1G37, having beein aibsent sionie- 
what over two years. During inait time the comteislt between 
Charles the First and the House of Commons had ffrown warmea- 
and the 'breach between Ithe royall prerogatives and p'opular rights 
had been constantly widening. The advocates for popular rights, 
in the House of Commons had been sta'engthened by accessions 
ot wealthy and tallented m'en, and thety had by prudenice 'and 
firmneiss, obta,ined the oonfidenioe 'of tlie coiinti-y, whiilie Charles, 
and Ihiis minlisteris, by itlheir larro'gance and feeblenesis, had lost 
miuloh of 'the reverence and loya.lity '\\ihich w'Mx Eiilglishmen has 
always clung clbsiely to tlie i-oyal blood. 

Among the leaders of the popular party, John. Hampden and 
John Pym had tlie most conspi>ouous' pioisiitioni. Hampdeni had 
alone resisted the compulsory- loan, imposed by Charles to brace 
his languishing revenue, and had won by his firmnipss a chief 
position ais the friend of the people. A friendship ha'd sprung 



59 

up between tibese twio leadea-s aald Varnie tlimuigh. 'tiheii- comueictioJi 
witjh se'Veirail oolionial eniteirpriseis, land i:, was iDOit Ilorag before lie 
A\lais induoed by tibem to .takei am active pant in the ooiinteist, and 
ill April, 1640, he wms ellecteid amd toiok a seat in Parliamienlt as 
a representative of 'the Boiiough of Kingston upoai Hull. 

It was at this time, flirougli the influemee of his faltlier, and 
to pmpitiate his hositility, that 'he neioeived fnoim ^tihie King tbie 
dignity of Kniighthoiod a,nd >was laipipoimted joinitly with Sir 
\yilliain Russelil 'to the oflice of treiasurer of tlie navy — ^an office 
as the English navy then was of great trust and profit. He did 
iiioit hlowever bend by tiieise aiUuriemiedDts from his doiurse, l>ut was 
oonistantliy in cam^miiiiicaition with Pym and Hampdein, and en- 
tea-ed into their plains. In Novem'ber, 1640, the inemiorabte Long 
Pai-'liamient was chosen anid Viame was reelected from the Borough 
of Kingston upon Hull, and too)k his seajt as a meniber of that 
immortal body. He soon, in this position, made appear, how 
oapablo he wias of mamagiiug giiieat affairs, posisiesising in the 
'higiheisit perfeiction a quick and rteady appreihenisi'on; a strong and 
tenacious niemory; a profoufliid and peneltratimg judgmeoiit; a just 
and noble eiloquenoe, with lan easy aind graceful, imamimer of 
speaking; a zeal and application for the good of the Oommion- 
wealtli and a resolution and courage not to> be shaken or di- 
verted from ithe public sei"vioe. 

It is truly a memorable ipoirtion of Engtlisih history wiien a 
parliament, di'ove from the throne a prince of the royal blood, 
dignified with the tSiaored honors of the spirit of religion and 
chivalry — ^tlie repoisitory of prerogati\ias Itraced from the noisity 
confines of oblivion, and tried, convicte<l and executed him as an 
ordinary criminal. It is a niev^er to be forgotten conteist in whioli 
the liberties of Englislimen were then in\iolved. 

The principle upon which human society is based neiver re- 
ceived ISO aixleiiit a discusBion arid thorough sifting as itook place 
m England during the existence of tlie Long Parliamienlt. Mbre 
daa-ing innovations have never been attempted in an estaWished 
government than were undertaken at that time by the popular 
leaders. So important and thorough was the struggle to the in- 
terests of England that the parties which were organized in that 
contest have continued upon the same divisions from that time 
to this, and the hostilities which then formed the dividing line be- 



60 

tween the "\^%igs and the Tories have not by the lapse of over 
two hundred years been effaced. 

In this struggle Vane entered ^vith all the power and elo- 
quence of his ai'dent soul, and during thirteen years of its unin- 
terru^jted existence no measure of importance was agitated lui- 
less the name of Vane appears prominent among the actors, and 
at no time did he swerve from his direct and consistent course. 

In an imselfish devotion to his country, his character certain- 
ly presents a most remarkable example. \\1ien the final appeal 
to arms was made between the King and the Parliament, \'ane 
siUTendered the office he had held under Charles, but was reap- 
pointed sole treasurer of the navy by the Parliament. The 
fees of this office were immense in time of peace, but during the 
war which followed with Holland they ^^•ere estimated to have 
amounted to thirty thousand pounds pea* annum. These fees 
out of regard to the pvublic necessities he voluntarily paid into 
the public tieasuiy. Xor were these his only sacrifices. Sikes, 
in speaking of his conduct, says that "in attending to the arduous 
duties of his office, and in the House of Commons, and upon sev- 
eral committees, during the time he sat in the Long Parliament, 
he was engaged from early morning till Aery late at night, hav- 
ing scarce any leisure to eat his bread, couver.sie with his nearest 
relatives, or, at all, to mind his family affairs." 

His energy was equally remarkable. In public and in pri- 
vate, on the floor of the House and upon its committees, and in 
watchful earnestness upon the field of battle, ^'anc was acknowl- 
edged by all as the foremost man of the times. 

During the second year of the wiir, Hampden was slain, at 
the head of his regiment, and the health of Pym failed, so that 
lie was withdi-awn from public life, and soon died, and the chief 
conduct of affairs devolved upon Vane. He had now risen with 
the dangers of the times, the most eminent statesman of an age 
remarkable for greatness — ^the acknowledged leader of the Eng- 
lish House of Commons. Had lie been ambitious, there was no 
position so high at which he might not have giasped. Had he 
been selfish tliere was no one to prevent its full gratification. 
Had ho been avaricioua he might liave hoarded immense wealth. 
But his zeal for his principles and his country had purified his 
nature, and left only Ms nolble aspirations for her libea'ties. j\Iil- 



61 

ton, who was sparing of eulogy and saved his strains of adnUx- 
tion for the praise of Angels, was struck with admiration of his 
eminent abilities and conscientious piu-ity of purpose and ad- 
dressed to hiui at this time his famous iSonnet: 

■■\'ane young in years but in sage counsel old. 
Than whom a better Senator ne'er held 
The helm of Rome, when gowns, not arms, repelled 

The fierce Epirot and the African bold. 

\VIietlier to settle peace or to unfold 
'The drift of hollow states hard to be spelled; 
Then to advise how war may, best upheld, 

[More by lier two main nerves, Iron and Gold, 

In all her equipage : besides to know 

Both spiritual powex and civil, what each means. 

What severs each, thou hast learned, which few have done; 

The bounds of either sword t-o thee we owe; 
Therefore on thy firm liand Religion leans 
In ]}eaco. and reckons thee her eldest son." 

Vane was the true re2)resentative of the longings of the 
English people for civil and religious freedom. And the acts of 
his life were the impulses of a heart beating in unison with her 
noblest liberties. But he was doomed to disappointment in real- 
izing the hopes for which he was so zealously devoting his life. 
His example; his ability; his conscientious piu'ity, were unavail- 
ing to check the current of events from falling a prey to individ- 
ual selfishness and ambition. 

Jf ^'ane had been successful, the victories of Xapoleon would 
have sunk into insignificance, in comparison witli the magnificent 
results of his achievements, for 

"Peace hath Iier victories 
No less renowned than war." 

Jjiit lii^ j'cculiai' genius was jess adapted to the honors of suc- 
cess, than to rea]) immortality from defeat, lie was not of that 
peculiar haOjit of mind which readily adapts itself to the current 
of events, and sutlers itself to be led gradually along into i)ower 
and "Teatness. He had a fixed and settled determination, which 
could not be turned aside by selfish or ambitious considerations. 
His object was to engraft uiion the existing English g'overnment 



62 

the necessary checks to protect the people from the arbitrary 
will of tlie monarch, and at the same time to secure to them 
freedom of religious belief. For this puriX)se he had entered 
Parliament and taken sides against the King. For this, he had, 
when the monarchists withdi-ew, taken sides against the Presby- 
terians. For this, he had refused to co-operate witli the radical 
measui'es of the Independents. For this, when the Presby- 
terians, though his iidver'saries were forcibly excluded from the 
House of Commons in 1648 by the army, he also absented him- 
self and refused to become a party to the execution of Cliarles 
the First. And for this, when the King- had been executed, and 
monarchy overthrown, and a commonwealth attemi>ted. Vane re- 
luctantly consented to fill a seat in the council of State, and re- 
suming his seat as a legislator, amidst the iioating- wreck of the 
English constitution, he clung to the existing Parliament as the 
only frag-ment on which it was possible to rescue English liberty. 

Without connecting himself with any of the pai'ties, in the 
ascendent by turns, in Parliament, by his abilities as a States- 
man, he had thus far held the controlling influence in its delibera- 
tions and guided its course towards the accomplishment of his 
purpose. His energj' had given to the army the means of ac- 
complishing its victories; to the navy its efficient organization, 
and if the one was able to cope with the forces of Charles upon 
the land, and the other with Holland ou the sea, the glory of 
the prepai-ations was Vane's. And when success had been ac- 
complished upon all these points, he directed his labors to the 
remnant of the Parliament, and turned his energies and active 
genius once more to the purification of liberty, at its soui'ce, 
and to fix popular rights upon a firm and enduring basis. 

Upon the 20th of April. 1053, thirteen years after his first 
entry into Parliament, we find \'ane hurrying down to the 
House of Commons, resolved to make a last effort to sustain 
the Republic. A bill had been prepared and reported by him, 
as chairman of a select coninrittee, and had passed then to the 
committee of the whole, by whicii it was intended to provide for 
the termination of this Pailiament, whicli had been continued so 
long, and to fix a proper representative basis for the choosing 
of its successor. The exact character and details of the bill 
could ne^-er be determined on account of the violent scene which 



63 

followed during the day. But it was proved 'by an article which 
appeared in the London Times in the year 1831, that the main 
provisions of the bill prepared by Vane had been closely followed 
in the Eefonn Bill, as it was styled, which was brouglit forward 
and passed by Pa-rliaiment in that year. The Bill which had been 
tlius prepared by ^"ane had received all its amendments in the 
Grand Committee of the whole House, and ha<l been set down 
for this morning and ^'ane had come into Parliament to im- 
jilore its immediate passage, and urged the most pressing rea- 
sons to hazard no delay. The l^ill among other things provided 
for the disibanding of the army, which was no longer needed by 
Parlianrent, and which then amounted to about fifty tliousand 
men and was an immense ex])ense to the nation. 

Uix)n this point it excited the hostility of Cromwell, who was 
the idol and leader of the Indei^endents, a party whose chief 
strength and virtue was derived from the influence of the army. 

Ch-omwell and Vane had acted together in Parliament, but at 
this point their courses became separate and distinct. They 
had never had each other's confidence, and from the dissimilarity 
of their aims there had always existed a secret distrust and 
jealousy between tbem which in the discussion of this bill had 
ripened into an actual and bitter hatred. Cromwell desired to 
secure the government of England to his family. Vane to vindi- 
cate it for the people. With such dissimilarity of views, it is 
not strange that distrust should change to hatred. 

Cromwell was a ripe scholar in liypocrisy, and had turned 
the peculiar religious fanaticism of his day to a most curious use 
in advancing his ambitious purpose. On the night previous to 
Vane's last eft'oa-t for the passage or his dissolution bill, Crom- 
well had openely proposed and carried in a council of the officers 
of the army a resolution to drive out the Parliament and take 
possession of the Government. So thoroughly had he imbued 
the army with his aft'ectation of piet.v. that Col. Harrison, one 
of the "Fifth Monarchy men," gravely assured the Covmcil that 
Cromwell's design in this resolution was only to pave the Avay 
for the Government of Jesus and His Saints. Major Streater, 
who, as was afterwards proved, understood Cromwell better, 
([uickly replied with a piofane jest, that Jesus ought to come 
<iuickly, for if He delayed until after Christmas he would come 



64 

too late. The Council after the passage of this resolution, ad- 
journed to the following morning, and were in session at ^\^lite- 
liall while the debate was progressing upon Vane's bill in the 
Parliament. Presently Colonel Ingoklsby appeared from the 
House in violent haste and excitement and told C'roinwoU tliat 
if he meant to do anything that there \\as no time to lose. 
Oromwell hastily commanded a party of soldiers to be marched 
round to the House of Commons, and attended hy Lambert and 
iive or six otlier othcers, at once proceeded there himself. 

In plain hlack clothes, with gray worsted stockings, Crom- 
well quietly made his appearance on tlic lloor of the House of 
Commons. Vane was unging, passionately, the necessity of pro- 
ceeding to the last stage of the bill, with the omission of im- 
material forms, such as the ceremony of engrosssing. Cromwell 
stood a moment and then sat doAvn \\'ith l:is meek puritanic air, 
as he used to do in an ordinary place. After a few moments he 
beckoned to Harrison. "Now is the time," he said, "I must do 
it." Harrison doubtful, at the instant, of the effect of what 
Vane was urging, advised liim to consider. "The work, sir," he 
added, '"is very great and dangerous." "You say well," replied 
the General, and sat still for another quarter of an hour. 
The question was now being put when Cromwell suddenly start- 
ing up, loaded the Parliament with tlie vilest reproaches for 
their tyranny, ambition, oppression and robberj' of the Republic. 
Vane rose to remonstrate, when Cromwell, a*> if suddenly aston- 
ished himself, at the extraordinary part he was playing, stopped 
and said: "You tliink, pei-haps, that this is not parliamentary 
language. I know it." Then he put on his hat, went out of his 
place and walked up and down the floor, in the midst of the 
House, with his hat on his head and chid tliem soundly, looking 
sometimes at Vane and addressing him with sharp language and 
the wildest gestures. "One person" he said, aiming his long 
and uncouth gesture at Vane, "might liave j)revented this, but 
he was a juggler, and had not as much as common honesty. The 
Lord had done with him, however, and had chosen honester and 
worthier instruments for canying on His work." Vane's voice 
was once more lieard for the hill seconded hy Peter Wentworth 
and Harry Martin. "Come! come!" raved Cromwell, "I'll put 
an end to your pi-ating. Y''ou are no parliament; I'll put an end 



65 

to your sitting'. Begone! Give way to honester men." He then 
.stamped his foot very lieavily upon the floor. The door opened 
and he was surrounded hy musketeers, with arms ready. He 
then ordered his soklier.s to seize the speakers' mace and Mmself 
tearing up the bill whicli was under discussion, and was lying 
upon the speaker's table, lie drove the members out of the Hall. 
As the members passed Cromwell, he addressed the le-ading men 
with passionate bitteiness. He accused Allen of embezzlement. 
He pointed C'hallence out to his soldiers as a. drunkard, and others 
he called gluttons, extortioners, and the like. As Vane passed 
him, amonig the last, he stopped in his rapid use of adjectives to 
recall some vice, with which he could charge his gi-eat rival and 
then addressed to him in a loud and troubled voice, the memora- 
ble words: "Sir Henry Vane! Sir Henry Vane! The Lord de- 
liver me from Sir Henry Vane!" 

Cromwell was now master of the kingdom. He seized the 
records and commanding the doors to be locked went away to 
^V^litehall. 

Some few days, the usiu-pation saw Vane quietly seated at 
Eaby Castle. Here, amid his family, he again devoted himself 
to philosophy and religion in the quiet and retirement of his 
country residence, maturing his plan for a new occasion to strike 
for what had l>ecome to him the Good Old CViuse. From his re- 
tirement he issued a treatise upon government, embodying the 
philosophical reflections of his political life. He in this treatise 
proposed what was then thought and perhaps truly was visionary 
and impracticable for England, but wliicli was closely followed in 
the new order of things, which has sprung up in her colonies 
upon this side of the Atlantic. 

At the death of Cromwell Vane was chosen a memfber of the 
parliament summoned by his son Richard and be again took the 
lead of the few Republican members who had been able to obtain 
an acbnission into that packed house, and by his ability defeated 
the efi'orts of the Coiu't Party to confirm the government in 
Richard Cromwell, and as a leading member of the Committee of 
Safety, he reported a bill for the future settlement of the gov- 
ernment upon the basis to which he had devoted his life. 

But such services were past forever. The people were now 
di-unk with the orgies of the Restoration and by a sudden reaction, 
9 



66 

their minds became disgusted with their liberties wliich iiad 
fallen a prey to fanaticism and selfishness, and they had returned 
eageirly to their reverence for monarchy. 

All England was in ecstac-y for the Restoration of Charles the 
Second. Men forgot liberty in their eagerness for a king. 
Those who had been the latest advocates for popular rights en- 
deavored to throw oblivion over their acts by excess of loj'alty. 
The old royalists who had clinig witli unwavering- fidelity to the 
cause of their King, gathered in most exciting gi-oups to drink 
the healtli of the young monarch. In the midst of universal 
gladness, the triumph of the royal party was undisputed, and the 
fury of all parties to retiu'n to their old allegience prevented the 
adoption of any compact or treaty between the returning King 
and the people. 

The pai'ty of the restoration soon looked around for victims 
to atone for the violence which had marked the interregmim. 
Ivetributive .Justice might perliajis justly have required the ex- 
ecution of the Regacides, and those who failed to make their 
escape to Xew England were soon tried and executed. But it 
WAS eertfiinly a sad and bitter revenge which excepted the genius 
and integrity of Vane from the royal clemency in its hoiu- of 
triumph. He had been kept in prison, while the King under the 
management of Lord Clarendon was maturing a jilan by which 
they might rid themselves of a man to whom they attributed a 
mischievous activity. 

By the Bill of Indemnity Vane had been excepted by parlia- 
ment upon the promise that if an attainder was found against 
him his execution should be remitted. But Lord Clarendon's 
hatred of Vane, which was of a most bitter and s{)iteful char- 
acter, and so deep that the death of it^i victim was unable to sate 
it, and wiiicli has infused itself with refined cruelty into the 
fountains of liistory to blast the fame of a man he feared and 
hated, could not easily be disappointed of its vengeance. After 
Vane had been moved around from jn-ison to prison for two 
years., a parliament was assembled more sycojihanlir to the 
I'oyal A\ ill ami lUdic ]>]iable to Clarendou's ])urpose. Contrary to 
the royal j)roinise \'ane is now bro-ught to the ceremonies of a 
mock ti'ial and on the 2nd of .Tune, 1002, lie was arraigned before 
the Coiut of Kings' bench on an indictment found against him 



67 

by the Grand Jury for treason. Besides tlie Attorney General 
and Solifiter of the Crown, four of the most eminent lawyers of 
the Kingdom were engaged on behalf of the prosecution. 

The zeal of Chirendon. whet by tlie anxiety of the King, to 
get rid of a man, esteemetl too dangerous to let live, wa.s not to 
■be disai)pointed by a failure of lionest nieasm-es in the dispatch 
of its victim; and with this array of authority, inlluence and 
learning on one side, and Vane alone, and denied the aid of 
counsel, upon the other, wliat could result, but a decent legal 
murder. A jury of Royalists were summoned to listen to the 
tedious argument of jjoints of law they could not understand and 
finally to find a verdict against one whom they knew it would 
be .esteemed a proper loyalty to condemn. 

Amid such circumstances, it was not likely that Vane expect- 
ed an acquittal. But he know that the eyes of his friends in 
England and America Mere directeil towards him and conscious 
that he was not so much defending his own life as the cause of 
Liberty ^diich had become to him far dearer,he faced his judges with 
a courage that gradually assumed an animated fearlessness. In- 
stead of oflering apologies for his course he denied the imputa- 
tion of treason against his country with settled scorn, defended 
the rights of Englishman to be governe<l by successive represen- 
tatives, and took glory to himself for actions which promoted 
the good of England, and Avere sanctioned by Parliament as the 
virtual sovereign of the realm. He spoke not for hi^s life or 
estate, out for the honor of the martyrs to liberty, that were in 
their graves for the liberties of England— for the interest of all 
posterity in time to come. His argument was eloquent and con- 
clusive as a vindication of his o\\'n innocence and the cause of 
human liberty; but was lost upon a jury who were the servile 
instruments of the royal wish. Before they returned however, 
the Attorney General, who was the eccentric Sir Goefi'rey Pal- 
mer, a royalist so rigid, that during the Commonwealth, he al- 
ways wrote the name Oliver with a small o.. was allowed to con- 
verse with tlieni apart, and exhibit to them a letter from the 
King, in which ho wrote that Yane was too dangerous a man to 
let live, if he could be safely put out of the way. It took but a 
short time for the jury to relieive the anxiety of Clarendon and 
the King by finding a verdict of guiltv. Without avail Vane 



68 

pleaded the promise of the King that he would remit the sen- 
tence. Without avail he cited tlie Statute of Edward Third 
granting an assignment of errors. \^'itli indecent haste he ■was 
sentenced to sufl'er upon the block. 

The same cheerful resignation, Avhicli he exhibited upon his 
trial, animated liim on the day of his execution. As the pro- 
cesision moved tluiough the streets, men from the windows and 
tops of houses expressed their sorrow, pouring out pi-ayers for 
him as he passed by, and the people sliouted aloud : "God go with 
you." Ai-rived at the scaffold, he was observable abo^'e all the 
others by the intrepidity of his demeanor. iSurveying the vast 
surrounding multitude with composure he addi'essed them and 
sought to awaken in their souls the love of English liberty. 
And when his voice was overpowered by trumpets he was not in 
the least disconcerted by the rudeness, 'but, in the serenity of his 
manner, continued to show with what calmness an honest patriot 
could die. With imbroken trust in Pi'ovidence he believed in the 
progress of civilization; and while he reminded those around him 
that "he had foretold the dark clouds which were coming thicker 
and thicker foi- a season," it was still most clear to tlie eye of 
his faith that a better day would dawn. His eyes were with his 
heart then in the future home of freedom upon tlie shores of 
America, and with the prophetic vision of death ho saw the 
triumjjh of Democratic 2)rinciples which has 'been so fully 
verified in our own land of liberty. 

"We have thus far traced 'S^'ane as a youthful legislator in the 
fresh and dawning vigor of our colonial existence; we have seen 
him as he grew older grappling the giant institutions of Eng- 
land, and seizing the massive pillars of tyranny, like Samson, 
tear them down upon the oppressors; we have seen him like 
David, elaborating in his mind the massive rooms and corridors 
of the temple of Jerusalem, leave the glory of completing the 
grand design, as an inheritance to his posterity; and we have 
seen the noljle materials of his genius, moi-e valuable than the 
cedaas of Lebanon or the gold of Ophir, Iwrne by the stream of 
emigration from the shores of England and fitly joined together 
in the new temple of freedom upon the .shores of America. 

True genius, unappreciated by its own age, throws its bright 
scintillations far aerosa the lapse of ages, and looms bright and 



69 

stcadj^ before the eyes of posteritJ^ In this way Vane lilce Co- 
hnnbus has become the pcculmr property of the Anierioaii his- 
torian; and to him belongs tlic duty, to rescue his fame from the 
slanders and party prejudices of Clarendon and kindred English 
writers, and to crown his greatness and virtue with becoming 
laurels. 

AMiile it is the peculiar glory of Columbus, tlmt liis mind ran 
far out into physical speculation, beyond the beaten track of 
Commerce; it is no less the glory of Vane, that he pushed his 
daring course across the untried regions of philosophical specula- 
lion, to the extreme bounds of human liberty. Togetlier they 
were the pioneers of a new civilization. They led in separate 
capacities the forlorn hope, to seize from the grasp of savage 
life, from the sway of despotism an immense country to be dedi- 
cated to the noblest impulses, the su'blimer ends of our social 
existence. They have opened a large field upon which tne human 
race imtrammeled by tyranny may more perfectly accomplish 
the objects of its creation. 

"In sight of mortal and immoirtal jMjwers 
As on a boundless theatre to run 
The gi'eat career of Justice." 

A noble gratitude for his genius has given Columbus a place 
in the affections of the American patriot, for adding to the 
bounds of civilization the arar of this vast Continent; but equal 
gi-atitude is due to liim l)y whose inlluencic thei'e has been en- 
gi-afted upon this fair inheritance the noible principle of Uni- 
versal Toleration. 



.Mil. UOUX'SBERRY'y LECTURE. 

(From tlic Kingston .li)\]rnal, 'by Dr. Charles DoWitt.) 

Tlie addicss bcfoic the ivinuston Litei'ary Association on Fri- 
day evening last, was delivered by ^\'illiam Lounsberry of this 
place, liis subject was "Sir Henry \ ane, the Younger." The 
lecture was an excellent production, well delivered. He portray- 
ed Vane as he really was — one of the earliest advocates of popu- 
lar rights and religious tolcratiun. Tlic biogi-aphical sketch of 
his career, was succinct and impressi\c. The young religious 



70 

disputiuit, defending his creed when charged by his father and 
tlie ecclesiastical dignitary with heresy — the governor of Massa- 
cluisetts, struggling to establish religions toleration in his col- 
ony; his event^ial defeat by Wintlnu]), the head of the intoler- 
ant faction; his departiire for iMiglaiid: tlie distinguished part 
lie took among his religious coteniporaries, Pyni, Hampden and 
Cromwell, during that era of liberty in JMiglish history; Crom- 
well dissolving the long parliament, the return of the dis,solute 
and treacherous Charles, the infamous trial and execution of the 
hero — were points presented to his auditors in a graphic and 
eloquent manner, interspersed with touches of exquisite humor 
and thrilling pathos. 



(From Ulster lAepublican, Feb., 18.37. by A. Schoonmaker, Jr.) 

The lecture of William Lounsbery, Esq.. upon "KSir Flenry 
Vane the Younger," before the Jvingston Literary ..\ssociation, on 
Friday evening, February 27tli, was a performance meriting 
especial conunendation. — Vane was a man who by reason of his 
eminent abilities, his spotless integrity and moral worth, his im- 
portant and valuable services to mankind and the heroism of his 
death, was worthy the highest meed of praise, and Mr. Louns- 
bery "s lecture was an eloquent ami apjiropiiatc triibute, both to 
the character of the man and the groat principles with which 
his name is identified. 

Mr. Louiisbery took broad and generous views of the jiriu- 
ciples which Vane labored to enforce, and his lecture had the 
peculiar merit of inculcating the doctrines which constitute tlic 
foumlation, the very essence of Democracy — civil liberty, and 
religious toleration, in the literal and most enlarged sense of 
these terms, it is tlie uphohling of these principles which con- 
stitutes the strenglli and glory of the Democratic party of this 
country, and it is because the party is founded on such a rock 
that it stands proudly invincible to all the calumnies and assaults 
of fanaticism, intolerance and treason in whatever forms they 
may arise. 

Mr. Lounsbery also rebuked in caustic terms those meddle- 



71 

some demagogues of tliese modern days who have the name of 
liberty upon their lips, feut have none of its spirit in their hearts 
— who cry liberty! liberty! from pu]j)it and rostriuii. and who, 
under pretence of a zeal for tlie service of (iod and tiie welfare 
of man, become persecutors, revilers, ojipressors and plunderers 
of their brethern, — who make the sacred name of liberty a by- 
word and reproach by associating it exclusively with the negro, 
while to tlve wliite man tliey scruple not to deny the enjoyment 
of tlie simplest elements of liberty. This class which might 
otherwise have passed silently into oblivion, has by one act of 
unparalleled audacity secured for itself an immortality of in- 
famy. This was the impudent attempt of the three thousand 
New England parsons to exalt themselves above all that is called 
(iod or worshipped and in the name and by the authority of the 
]\rost High (lod to dictate what nuist be done and what must not 
be done, by the National Congress, the supreme legislative powei- 
of the Country. And such is the habitual reverence of the 
American people for their religious teachers, that the greater 
portion of them were for a time over awed by this daring usur- 
j)ation of the Priesthood. I5ut a healthy reaction soon followed 
and the three thousand Dominies are now considered three thou- 
sand knaves or simpletons, and will be riPmemljered by posterity 
Avith about as much honor as the three hundred foxes which owe 
their mention in history to the illumination they once enjoyed 
from Sampson's firebrands. 

Eut to return to the lecture. ^Ir. Louiis'bery's sketch of tlie 
career of Vane was concise and well arranged, and brought out 
in a clear and foi-eible jnaimer the princi])al events of his life. 
The portion of the lecture which narrated that romantic episode 
in Vane's life — his New England experience^ — was particularly 
g'raj)liic and felicitous. It exhibited in a clear and happy manner 
the state of the colony upon Vaire's arrival, the joy of the pcojjle 
at receiving a yoiuig noiblenian among them, his enthusiastic 
election as Governor the diversity which soon r.rose in relation 
to the proposed law to drive out all who differed with the colo- 
nists in religious or political belief, X'ane's opposition to the act 
and his controversity with C<ov. W'inthrop concorning it. in which 
lie C()ntende<l manfully for the broad {jrincijiles of toleration, the 
appearance of the brilliant and eccentric Anne Hutchinson with 



72 

hor theologic-al lictorodoxy tliat tlio Holy CJliost wa-s a mere in- 
lluence, and not a jiersou of the trinity, tlio war between her and 
th« clergy, her support by Vane, the succeeding colonial election 
when one of the Wintlirop party, a Rev. :Mr. Wilson, harrangiied 
tlie crowd from tlie branch of a tree — ^but such a crowd! no light- 
ness, in dilVorence or venality tliere. but all stern, earnest and 
zealous, and each man a theolog^iau, statesman and hero, the de- 
feat of Van^, tlie suhsequont honors his I'ricnds bestowed upon 
him, and his liual return to England. 

The name of Vane is an illustrious one in Englisii history. 
Long l>eforo the time of Charles I, the family had become a noted 
ami powerful one, and under that monardi the father of Sir 
Henry the Youngei- held the oflice of Coileier and was a member 
of the Privy Council. Young Sir Henry was born in IG12 and 
received a finished ^education in his own country, when he set out 
to travel upon the continent and sojourned for awhile at Geneva. 
At that place he became imbued with the Calvanistic theology, 
and the principles of civil and religious liberty became firmly 
rooted in his mind. ()ii his return to England his liberal views 
in religious and political matters met the disapproval of his 
father and the King, and to enjoy his principles without moles- 
tation he determined to emigiate to the Colony of ^lassachusetts 
P.ay in America. He arrived there in 1G35, was eliected Governor, 
which ofBce he held for a year, and returned to England in 1637. 
The King then being in trouble witli his subjects received him 
graciously and appointed him to a high office. In 1040 he was 
elected a member of the famous Long Parliament. And it was 
uiK)n a secret document discovered by Vane and coniuumicated 
by him to John Pyni, that the impeachment of the Earl Strafford 
■was foundeil, resulting in the final execution of that ambitious 
nobleman. 

He continued to liold his seat in this Parliament through the 
contest witli the King till his execution in 1G49 — to which act 
Yane was opposed — and acted likewise as Commissioner and 
Treasurer of the Xiavy down to ](i53. wlien Cromwell violently 
broke uj) tlie Parliament and dispersed the members. Vane then 
went into private life and devoted himself to literary and re- 
ligious studies, and published some interesting and valuable 
works. 



73 

At this period he prepared and published his famous work 
called "A Healing Question," in which he enunciated his views of 
Government, and his ideas of religious toleration, reflecting 
pretty severely upon Cromwell's ambitious designs. Cromwell 
became exasperated and imprisoned Vane. He soon released him 
however, but vented his spite by instigating multitudinous law 
suits against him concerning the title to his estates. "Wlien 
Oliver Cromwell died and was succeeded by liis son Richard in 
1G59 a new Parliament assembled, of which Vane was a member. 
His first act was to make a speech in which he denounced Rich- 
ard and protested his determination not to submit to him. His 
eloquence and logic carried the Parliament with him, and Richard 
was compelled to abdicate. 

Vane and his coadjutors then set resolutely to work to pro- 
vide for the affairs of the nation, but while engaged devising a 
constitution and plan of Government which would secui'e the 
liberty and welfare of the English people, the notorious Gen. 
Monk betrayed his country to her oppressors, and the royal 
family was restored in the person of Charles 11. Vane's public 
labors were now at an end. He again sought retirement in pri- 
vate life. But he was considered dangerous to the peace of the 
King, and after being imprisoned and harassed for a couple of 
years, was finally put upon trial for treason, and after suffering 
every personal indignity, and perversion of justice that corrupt 
and truckling judges could be guilty of, he was at length by ao 
equally corrupt and intimidated jury pronounced guilty, 'but not 
till he had covered himself with glory "by the genius eloquence 
learning and heroism of his defence. His sentence and execution 
soon followed, but his dignity attended him to the last, and it is 
said of him that he met death like a King. Vane's death took 
place in 1CC2, he being then just fifty years of age. 

The English nation was so shocked and excited at the im- 
necessary and cruel execution of Vane, that the King was obliged 
to restore all the estates to his family, and received his son 
shortly afterwards as a member of his privy Council. 

The Vane family has continued to be honored and hororaMe 
from that period down to the present, and has kept up a tra- 
ditional attachment to literal principles. — In 1832 the repre- 
sentative of the family, William Henry Vane though his private 
10 



■74 

interests wei-e strongly against it, voted for the reform bill. For 
this patriotic act the King created him Duke of Cleveland with 
the title of Baron Ea^by, which titles were made hereditary in 
the family. 

Sir Henry Vane was undoubtedly a great man, as well as a 
good man. His stainless integrity of character was the more 
remarkable on account of the corrupt age in which be lived. His 
piety was sincere and fervent, and that he was thought worthy 
to suffer death on account of his uprightness, is the best testi- 
mony to his worth. His services on behalf of civil and religious 
liberty were gi-eat. He was through life a constant advo- 
cate of religious tolerations. — He clearly comprehended the 
idea on wliich freedom of conscience is founded, and it is really 
so simple and obvious that the wonder is men could ever lose 
sight of it more especially as it is inculcated so distinctly and 
repeatedly in Sacred Writ. It is simply the idea that before 
God all men are perfectly equal and that religion being the 
homage and worship due from all alike to the almighty, he alone 
possesses the prerogative of prescribing the mature and mode of 
that worship. 

No effort is required to understand this truth, but the idea 
of perfect civil libeity goes a step farther. That reists on equality 
of man with man. Thisi Vane does not appear to have reached. 
The farthest he seems to have gone in his plans was to abolish 
tlie Kingly office and s-ulbstitute a government by a number of 
trnstoes and to extend the elective franchise to all possessing a 
property qualification of a thousand dollars, leaving thie classes 
and ranks in society as they W'ore. This to us, appears but 
a small progress toward civil liberty, as we enjoy it, but it would 
have been a vast stej-) at that time. Vane's darling object was 
to have written a constitution, which he reg\arded the very foun- 
dation of security and liberty. But it was liis fate to die with- 
out realizing his generous hopes. Their realization was reserved 
for a later period and another land. 

With more executive force, Vane might ha/ve accomplished 
more good and prevented more mischief, but he did well in his 
day, and has left behind him a name to be admired and praised, 
and the reputation of an upright man and Christian statesman. 



THE ULSTER REGIMENT IN THE 
"GREAT REBELLION." 



By William Lounsbery, Esq. 



(From Ulster Historical Collections, Vol. I.) 

PEEFACE. 

The stdi-riiijg events of the present year are all fit subjects for 
history. It will be the duty of this Society, which has under- 
taken the care of the annals of Ulster County, to gatlier up the 
materials, as the fragunents fall from the incidents of wai" and 
political disintegration, so that none shall be lost. 

This is excuse enough for putting- into a tangible shape the 
xeminisoences of the late campaign of the Ulster County regi- 
ment of Militia, called into the sei-ivice of the General Govern- 
ment for the defence of the Capital, and the suppression of the 
iSouthern rebellion. 

Recollections are soon lost; and wiith ai'mies of half a million 
in the field upon each side, there is danger that the patriotic 
efforts of the beginning may be crowded out of mind by the more 
momentous aohievemients which are actively in progress. It is 
only a proper fidelity to Ulster Comity fame, to put these eiarly 
transactions of the war into a reliable shaj)ie. 

Kingston, October 16, 1801. 

CHAPTEK I. 

The Government of United States of America, though 
established upon the heel of a brilliant and successful revolution, 
was foimed peculiarly for peace. It was the creature of a war 
iavolving gi'eat personal aacriliees, yet its framersi made the new 



76 

Constitution only with an eye to growth and pi-osperous jieace, 
without a single prophetic vision into the turmoils to rend th« 
fair work of their hands into fragments. Scarcely a single per- 
son look€d beyond the partisan bickerings of the day. Adveise 
interests were kno\\-n to exist — the antagonisms of sections were 
heard, loud and threatening, in C'ongi-ess and on the stump, pre- 
ceding the stated National elections, but nothing was prophesied 
— at least nothing was believed to exist of sufficient force to 
oUset the glorious achievements, tlie Xational pride, and tlie 
rapid and healthy growth and progress of the counitry. 

The standing anny of the General Goivernment from motives 
of economy has always been an insignificant force; and froan the 
great extent of the Xatioual domain it became scattered and 
disorganized. In lieu thereof reliance was placed upon the militia 
of the dilferent States, which had become organized into a sys- 
tem of militaiy defence, more 0(r less mature. Xew York en- 
couraged such organizations by devoting- a trifling tax to the 
support of the service, and ixirnisliing aa^ms tO' those who en- 
rolled and uniformed themselves according to law; and in this 
way had enrolled several corps of Infantry and AiTtilleiy, that 
could ap2>ear witli credit by tlie side of vetea*an batallioiis of 
European armies. The Xcav England States had also militia 
organizations on a similar plan. In the South, too, on a anore 
i>i-ivate 'basis, sevea-al corps existed, with etiuipments and arms 
of the best i>attern, tpui'chased by individual contributions. On© 
corps of Zuaves, organized in tJie ^^'est, on a similar plan, had 
even outstripped in drill and efficiency the Europeam standard of 
this arm of service, so widely famed in the late war in Italy. 

It will be seen that the efficiency of these military organi- 
zations, from the pacific nature of our laws, depemied mainly 
upon tlie military spirit and enterprise of individuals; for the 
same reason that had prevented the General Government from 
supporting an expensive military establishment, had operated 
against large appropriations in that direction by the States. 

Military organizations thus created had been content with 
mutual acts of friendship, and rivalry — visiting and entertain- 
ing, and emulating each otlier in drill and appearance, little ap- 
prehending the approach of a great war. 

The Regiment of Ulster County militia^ was tlie giowtli of 



77 

the saaiie spiritj and in 1857 perfected a new organization, and 
assumed the name of the •'Ulster Guard." It adoiDted an uni- 
form dre«is sdmikx to tJie RegulaT Army, received arms from tJie 
State, adoipted the Light Infantry drill, and by dint of untiring 
energy under the eamuiand of Ck)l. Geo. W. Pratt, soon became 
one of the best organized and elHcient regiments of the State. 
It was attached to the Eighth Brigiade, commanded by Gen. H. 
A. Samson, and was much aided by his enei-gy and military 
spirit in acquiring its rank in the State sei'vioe. 

In 1858, Gen. Samson's Brigade went into camp for insti*uc- 
tion at Kingston. The two village corporationsi of Kingston and 
Hondout, appreciating the ed'OTt to make the Ulster Guard effi- 
cient and to show a fit trihute to the officers and men, pi'ocured 
a stand of colors, and took this occasion to present them in be- 
half of the villages. The presentation tkew a very lange con- 
course of citizens, and took place at the Canip Ground, between 
the two villages, on the .31st of AugTi^t, 185S. The presentation 
ftddres-s was made by the Hon. Wm. S. Kenyon. It is of interest 
here, as throwing light uiX)n the motives of those who then 
patronized the militia. ; 

He said: 

'"Colonel and Oilicers and Soldiers of the Uls.ter Guard: 
The vast importaiic-e to a free and independent people of a duly 
organized and efficient citizen soldiery, both in a civil and politi- 
cal as2)ect, requires at our hands no proclamation. 

The Constitution of this great State — the text book of our 
chai-tered civil and political rights — proclaims it by a recognized 
equality between the civil and military branches of the Govern- 
ment. So close a relationship is established by donstitiitional 
parentage between those brandies, that the Gove'rnor, the great 
civil head, is declared to be the Commander in Chief of the mili- 
tary and naval forces of the Stiate. An union so complete, an 
intimacy so vital to each, must of nec*©ssity prompt a sense of 
mutual dependency, and incite to an open expression of regard. 
Eminently meet and natural is it that the civil and municipal 
authorities everywhere should profl'er the right hand of fellow- 
ship to thiO military, and testify before the world to a recogni- 
tion of a common origin, and one and the same destiny. 

The corporations of Kingston and Hondout hea-e convened, by 



78 

tlicir represeuta-tives, recognizing you as an honoirable ajid dis- 
tinguisbed mem'ber of that noble body of organized citizens, of 
whidi tbe Empire State lias reason ev^er to be proud, seize this op- 
portunity to tender you a testimonial of their high appreciation 
of your merits as soldiers, and through me to .expr«ss an aibid- 
ing sense of your worth a.s citizens and as men. The flag of liis 
country, emblazoned all over with an ever increasing galaxy of 
sta-rsi, symtolical of a i>i-osperoU'S union of f'ree and independent 
States, which, God grant, may nevea- be dissolvied, must to the 
heart of every ^Vmerioau soldier prove a cherisihed souvenir. 

lleeeive these colors at our hands. Preserve them in remem- 
brance of an occasion so pregnant mth intea-est, and of a scene 
in whidi you act so conspicuous a jmrt. A thousand holy recol- 
lections will forever cluster around them. The very Heavens 
tliat are now smiling down upon you, these old liills that lie 
crouching all about you with expansive ear, listening to catch 
tlie very ac<-<?nt of tliits scene; tlie very .gi-ound on which you 
stand, em-iclied by pati-iotic blood, and teeming with savory 
memoiies of revolutionary times, will at ^sight of them aigain 
and again start out before your mind's eye with all the vividness 
of the iwesent. 

Accept them as tlicy are. Would that it wei-e possible with 
a gi-aphic touch to represent upon them your future gloaies. 
When Aeneas received from his goddess mother the shield which 
Vulcan had Avrought out, he beheld with loving eyes all over it a 
proj)hetic history of the future achievements and gloi-y of his 
race. A wise Providence has denied to us the power of tearing 
aside the veil which hangs between you and tlie fulfillment of 
youi' hoi>es. You will read upon this simple gift — no proiihetic 
revelation; but you will not fail to disco \er on every fold some 
divine memento, traced there by the tender hand of memory. 

Accept them and guard tliem with a valiant heart, and nuiy 
they, like tliat tstand of lieavenly colors flimg out by Israel's 
God, a pillow of cloud by day and a pillow of lire by night, in- 
troduce you to a full and free fruition of your dearest hopes." 

Col. Pratt replied as follows: 

"Mr. President and Gentlemen: hi behalf of the Ulstei- Guard 
I thank you for this beautiful gift, ami the kind expressions of 



79 

aiipreciation with wliich it is aeoompanietl. The .s-okUeirs con- 
stituting my command, cherish tJie homes 'and firesides of tlieii- 
country, and it needs no incentive to earn a pledge of their pro- 
tection; 'but it is a proiul pleasure to them, that tlie municipal 
authorities of the two Lai-gesit villages of Ulster, have taken this 
occasion to express their regard. 

We appreciate the lionoir you have done us, and we promise 
that if this land is eviei- involved in war, that these eoloi^s shall 
wave with credit and glory, wherever danger is thickest, and the 
fight is warmest. 

Gentlemen, Ave thank you, and as j'ou haive alluded to our 
revolutionary sires, we trust the Ulster CUiard will never be 
found unworthy of the nobble inhemtanee of honor and virtue 
they have left us." 

In 1860, the Regiment again encamped at Athens for instruc- 
tion. It numbered in rank and file nearly 400, and was consid- 
ered a full a'egiment; and at tlie review of the Governor and 
Stall', it Avas complimented as one of the ibost Regiments in the 
State. That this compliment was sincere subsequent events 
proved. 

It is not a part of tihis record to trace the causes of the war. 
It is sufficient that the events of the winter of 18G0 and 1801 
l>resaged a collision of the sections. The life of the newly 
elected Pi-esident Avas threatened on his route toi Washington, 
and he Avas scarcely permitted to be inaugiirated AA-ithout wit- 
nessing the clash of armsi. The siege and sm-render of Fort 
Sumter, AA-hich shortly folloAved, stirred in a moment the ele- 
ments of Avar, and a call for seventy-five thousand troops to be 
furnished hj the loyal States, thirty thousand of AA-hich Avei-e 
apportioned to Xcav York Avas at once issued by tire President. 
The Militia Regiments of this State, fit to take the field, AA'ere 
oi-dered in resiponse to this call to march at once to Washing-ton 
to protect the Capital. Of the Regiments thus ordei-ed, seA-^en 
Avere from XeAV York city and Brooklyn; one from Albany and 
one from Ulster County — the Ulster Guard. Excepting the 
Albany Regiment, equipped under the immediate eye of the 
'State authorities, Ulster County furnished the only other one, 
out of NcAY York city and Brooklyn, fit to take the field in the 



80 

pressing emergency. History must ever note this fact in praise 
of the sturdy patriotism of Ulster Oounty men. 

OHAPTEK II. 

Tlie din of preparation to meet tlie crisis awoke to the most 
stirring ell'ort tlie patrioti.sm of the State. The Legislature, in 
session at Albany, appropriated half a niillion of aollajs to put 
tiie militia in jwssession of war equipanents, and three millions 
more to arm an additional volunteer foice. An Union Defence 
Committee was api)ointed in Xew Yorik city, emd furnished with 
nearly five millions of dollars, a larg-e portion conk-ibuted by 
jKitriotie individuals., to send forward troojxs. The citizens of 
Ulster, with perhaps less tumult, 'rallied, worthy of their old 
Revolutionairy fame, to the -svork. An immense impromi>tu mass 
meeting was held in the Court House, and amid the ringing of 
Church l>ells, the firing of camion, and the general suspension of 
business pursuits, the citizens pledged their etiorts to the pre- 
servation of the Government. At a meeting of the officers of 
the Ulster (iuai-d, their services were tendered to the Governor, 
and propositions to recruit and equip the Regiment to a war 
footing, were at onoe put into motion. The araoimt of money 
nee<le<l for this work was large; hut all working together with 
spirit and enthusiasm, developed rai>idly the "sinews of war." 

The banks, with a true patriotic spirit, came up to their duty 
in the crisis, and ismied piomptly to Col. Pnatt the following 
letter: 

Kingston, X. Y., 20th April, 18C1. 
Col. George W. Pratt: 

Dear Sir — ^iVt a meeting of Officers of the Banks in this town, 
held this day, on the representation that the sum of Eight 
Thousand Dollars is needeil to prepare yom- Regiment for the 
field, it was unanimously 

Resolved, That the Banks here i-epresented, viz: Ulster County 
Bank, Kingston Bank, Bank of Roodoiit. and State of Xew York 
Bank, will each honor the Drafts of the Paymastea- of the 20th 
Regiment for the sum of Two Thousaml ]>ollars. 

Yours, &c., 
A. BRUYX ILVSBROUCli, Chairman. 
II. II. Reynolds, Secretai-y. 



81 

The toarnks of Sangerties also contributed $2,000. Funds to 
feed the troops were rai>idly gathered by siutoscription. Recruits 
from the different towns, aroused by the fei-vid appeals of prom- 
inent citizens, poured rapidly into Kinig-ston and enrolled them- 
selves under the Command of Colonel Pratt. In a week the 
Regiment numbea-ed eight hundred men, mostly uniformed and 
equipped, and had received orders from the dovernor to report 
to President Lincoln at Washington. 

Wlio will say that this was not an act of hei-oism, worthy 
our revolutionary history? The men thus formed into military 
nanks, were under oaders for a march of three hundred miles. 
Blood bad ali'eady been shed along the loute. Commimication 
with Washingtion had been cut off, and it was even conjectured 
that the Capital had been taken possession of by the rebel in- 
vaders. The men \\ho tluis volunteered wea-e obliged to leave 
their business and families, with sacrifices and under circum- 
stances in many casies very unpleasant and distressing. 

Sunday, the 29th of April, was the day on which the Regi- 
m^ent took its departure. The line of maroh from the Regimen- 
tal Armory at Kingston, was formed at 6 o'clock, a. m. Even 
at that early hour, the streets were filled by an immense crowd, 
depressed by the gloomy sentiments of so imoertain a separation 
from friends, husbands, sions and lovers; yet enlivened by the 
spirit of patriotism and devotion to duty. The Regimental 
Colors consecrated to the defence of Ulster Ooxmty soil, were 
about to be borne off to a distant encounter— to mingle in the 
doubtful issue of a fratricidal contest. It was a scene that 
might well produce contending emotions, and will long be re- 
membered iby those whosje feelings wea-e involved in the thick 
network of sentiments that touched to tears so large a mul- 
titude. 

The Ulster Co^mty Bible Society took occasion to convene the 
Regiment, before its departiue, at the Academy Green, to pre- 
sent to etich soldier a copy of the Testament, and to commend 
its divine truth, as an ever present moaiitor in the hazzards of 
the soldier's life. The presentation address was delivered by the 
Rev. Joseph A. Collier, of the Second Refoi-med Dutch Ohurch of 
Kingston, and its j^leatling devotion to Bible truth, as it seemed 
to shine from his fervid lang-uage and expressive countenance, 
11 



83 

broug'bt many an unwilling tear, and left many an ineifacalile 
touch of comiction. The pastors of all the churches of Kings- 
ton weie aJso present and pai-ticipated in the exercises, and 
unite«l their prayers for the welfare of the country, and the 
soldiers about to embark in its se^'ice. The patriotic devotion 
of Ulster County was also represented, and \\'as expressed in an 
eloquent and fervid speech by Hon. A. Bruyn Hasbrouck. He 
impressied in glowing language upon her soldiers the fearful 
ordeal of the Xation, and tlie coujse of conduct imposed upon 
them by the early history of the County. 

The members of the Regiment, with these solemn impressions, 
ami with uj^lifted hands, swore the Constitutional oath, and 
toolc their line of imarch to Rondout and thence on board Major 
Cornell's steamea-, the "Manhattan," and a barge. They were 
still acoompanied by the eroAvd, who delajied their farewell until 
the transport passed out of the creek. 

Bidding good-bye, the dense throng filled the liouse-tops, 
crowded tlie wharf and vessels at the dock, and every available 
space, whilst cheer after cheer and that trembling enthusiasm 
of the multitude, filled the air, luitil Ulster County settled out 
of sight of her devoted soldiers, and tliey found themselves alone 
M'ith the more serious impressionis of their eiTand and its duties. 

CHAPTER III. 

In our <lay, 6A-ents are communicated by telegTaph. and a 
crisis matures more rapidly than in former times. The whole 
country was aroused at the same instant. The first news of the 
rebellion, like an electric shock, thrilled iu' a moment the entire 
body of the people. They all realized the existence of a war, 
and armwl for the event. But all did not at once realize its 
magnitude. This subject became the tlieme of disoussion, and 
occupied the mind of the mass&s, as well as those in authority. 
Xone at once measured the full diniensions of the disaster, 
though the people and those out of office were most iniipressed, 
and wliilst they magnified tlieir estimate by their fears, came 
nearest tlie correct measiurement. Our State authorities were 
ill prejiare*! for the emergency, and A\erc s<K)n o\errun by the 
preparations to meet it; and thus they over-estimated what they 
did, and imdurrated what they ought to do. 



83 

Upon tihe arrival of the Regiment in Xew Yoi-k city, it was 
quartered in tlie Armories, just vacated by City Eegiments al- 
ready sent forward, and fed as well as it was possible by con- 
tractors, whose preparations were yet on a scale of economy 
and had not acquired the proportions necessary for the demand 
upon them. 

One Regiment of Xew York troops had. by this time, reached 
Washington, and the State 'breatlied easier. "The Country is 
safe," used to be the old watchword of careless philosophers, 
and "Washington is safe" at once became a smai't aphorism for 
newspaper writers and such sa.ges asi are made Oiver every morn- 
ing by the latest dispatolies. 

The Governor of Xew Yoa-k and his military staff wei-e also 
fashioned much in their opinions of the crisis by their moa-ning 
paper, -which had thus become an .excellent sedative for the im- 
pulsive energy into which they were first inspired by the 
staatling events with whidi the war opened. They, too, were 
thus peiisuaded tliat the country was safe, and that the danger 
really was that Xew York had sent forward too many troops. 

For nearly one week this delusion seized the people, and the 
Ulster Guard were the guests of the resting State authorities in 
the city, waiting an exchange of anns,. and a few equipments that 
could have been delivered in one lioiu' with orders to mardi. In- 
stead of these. Colonel Pratt was regaled with paragraphsi in th© 
papea-B, showing a discussion in the Councils of the Governor, as 
to whether the Regiment should not be sent home, and the work 
and devotion embarked in it, dissolved back into the distant towns 
of Ulster. An order to that eti'ect came on tihe Sunday after 
the arrival of the Regiment, and the Ulstea- Cbunty Soldiers, who 
had left home with gloomy feelings, witli mucli more gloomy feel- 
ings Avere preparing to return. They began to accept the idea, 
that Ulster, calm, Dutch, sober Ulster, had for once been too fast. 

But while the order relieving him was drying in the hands of 
Coil. Pratt, the telegraph was awaiveninig new alarms in the State 
authorities. The loyal men of the city had begun, too, to dis- 
credit the ci-y "Washington is safe.' The magnitude of the crisis 
was developing on the electric cun-ents, and the Ulster Coimty 
men, admired by all for their hardy appearance, their quiet, yet 



84 

jMitriotic manners, and their true notions of the soldier's callijig, 
became quiokly the praised of the newspapers, the reliance of the 
Union Defence Committee, and the toast of the city. There was 
a new crisis, and a new order to march, and a new demonstration 
of a Xew York multitude to see the Ulster Guard maroli out of 
the Park Barracks on Tuesday moraing, :\ray 7th, 1861, for tlie 
defence of Washington. The strength of the Regiment, by the 
morning report of that day, was 815, eoirsisting of — 

Field Officers — Col. George W. Pratt, Lt. Col. Hii-am Schoon- 
maker, Major Theodore B. Gates. 

Commissioned Staff — Jacob B. Hardenbergh, Adjutant; John S. 
Griffiths, Quart er-;Master; Peter T. Overbagh, Paymaster; William 
Ijounsbery, Oommissaj:^^ ; Major A. Crispell, Captain Leonard 
Ingersoll and Lieutenant R. Loughran, Surgeons; Daniel T. Van 
Buren, Captain of Engineers; William Darrali, Chaplain. 

Xon-Commissioned Staff — P. Freeman Hasbrouck, Sergeant Ma- 
jor; Charles Schryver, Quarter-ilaster's Seigeant; Henry Mick, 
Sergeant Standard Bearer; Augustus Geoller, Di-imi ]Major; A. 
Webster Shaffer, Sergeant of Sappers; Engineer Corps, 9 men. 

Line — Company A, 73 men; J. B. Webster, Captain; A. G. Bar- 
ker, 1st Lieutenant; James Ste\-ens, 2d Lieutenant. 

Company B, 113 men; George H. Sharp, Captain; Jacob Sharp, 
1st Lieutenant; Cornelius I. Hoviglitaling, 2d Lieutenant. 

Company C, 91 men; J. Rudoli>h Tappeu, Captain; W. A. Van 
Renssalaer, 1st Lieutenant; Peter S. Voorhees, 2d Lieutenant. 

Comi>any D, 74 men; Davis Winne, Caj)tain; Jolin Hussey, Ist 
Lieutenant; John ]\1. Schoonmaker, Jr., 2d Lieutenant. 

Comically E, 98 men; W^iUiam Lent, Captain; Jacob A. Black- 
man, 1st Lieutenant; Nicholas Sa-hn, 2d Lieutenant. 

Com2>any F, (i3 men; Patrick J. Flynn, Captain; Edward 
O'KeUey, 1st Lieutenant; John Murray, 2d Lieutenant. 

Company G, 80 men; James T. Hendricks, Captain; James D. 
Balen, 1st Lieutenant; S. W. Miller, 2d Lieutenant. 

CV>m2>any H, 87 men; John Derrenbivcher, Captain; JaiTis Mc- 
Entee, 1st Lieutenant; Lawrence Stoker, 2d Lieiitenant. 

Oomi>any R, 109 men; Wade H. Steenlbergh, Oaptain; George 
Wheeler, 1st Lieutenant; Cornelius C. Bush, 2d Lieutenant; Am- 
brose N. Baldwin, Jr., 2d Lieutenant. 



85 



CHAPTER IV. 



A brief sketch of the cajuiipaign up to this time is here neces- 
sary. Massachusetts prepared in Feibruary and. March for an ap- 
proachiing war, and when the prochviuation was issued to the 
Xorthei-n States by telegraph, Gov. Andi'ews answered by tele- 
gi-^aph inquiring- where his quota should be sent and at the same 
time he ordered forward the Sixth and Eighth Regiments of 
Militia of that State, then in camp at BoS'ton. The Sixth had 
reached Baltimoa-e on the 19th of April, and in passing through 
that city was assaulted by a moib, and several ivu.led oi* wounded. 
This act was followed by the destruction of the railroad and tele- 
graph lines through Baltimore, connecting with Washington, on 
both the Harrisburgh and Havi-e-de-Graoe routes. Under these 
cireuanstanc&s, the Eigihth of Massachusetts and the Seventh of 
Xew York, with Brig.-Clen. Butler in command, were compelled to 
take the route via Perryville and Anna.polis. TJiey landed at 
Annapolis before the rebel forces in Maryland could combine in 
strength, and thus secin-ed possession of the Annapolis branch 
raihoad connecting \\ith the Washington branch of the Baltimore 
and Ohio railroad at Anna.polis Junction. 

The Twentieth from Lister County followeil iby this route, and 
landed at Annapolis May 8th, just after daylight. Cen. Butler 
was in coniniand of the Department of Annajjolis, and assigned to 
the Ulstei" Guard the duty of holding this route to Washington, 
with Head-Quarters at the Junction. 

That [Maryland A\as not a loyal State had been tested by the 
conduct of Baltimoreans on the 19th of April; and an attempt to 
stab one of the Regiment in the darkness during the first night 
of the Twentieth on their soil, gave a clue to their mode of meet- 
ing their assailants. The Annapolis raili-oad passes thix>ugh a 
sparsely populated district for twenty miles to the -Tunction. 
Along much of the route the first forests are still standing. Foa- 
the purpose of protiecting this road, a portion of the companies 
Avere di\'ided into pickets of from 10 to GO and stationed at such 
convenient distances, that a night patrol would paQS the Avhole 
road, thus connecting Annapolis and the Junction by a chain of 
pickets. That this duty was gloomy and unpleasant ami attended 
Avith danger, is clear. That the inhabitants at best were of a very 
sensitive loyalty, Inwl already been learned by the Regiment in 



86 

whose steps th&y followed, and that the duty imposed was delicate 
and important was equally clear. 

The Head-Quarters at the Junction oct-upied a eampiiig ground 
slightly sloping to-waa-ds the raihoad station, and skirted on the 
cast by a wood, affording a pleasant shade during the heat, but 
no pix>tection from attack. The le\eJ natuie of the coiintry, in 
fact, furnished not the slightest natural defence. The fii'ist at- 
tention, therefore, of CoJ. Pratt was directed to breaking up the 
military organizations of the neighboirhoad, known to be hostile. 
l\cjK>sitoii-ies of arms -were ransacked, and susi>ected individuals 
apprehended or watched. The principal danger was from a cav- 
alry i-aid that might have swept suddenly from the direction of 
the Rebel Head- Quarters on the Potomac. Against tliis the 
Colonel was specially warned, and "by surrounding the camp with 
a chain of jnckets, he soon made a surprise diiiicult. The next 
duty — and a delicate one — was to encomuge the Union and loyal 
sentiment Iby overcoming the natural hostility of the inhabitants 
to noi'tdiern tixjops, who appeai-ed to them in the light of invaders. 
The quality of his troops rendered this easier. Prejudices against 
some of the acts of preceding Regiments were soon overcome by 
a uniform respect for tlie rights and feelings of the residents. 
Their property — even their slaves — they soon found more secure 
than under the usu:il lemedies of tlieir State laws. The Rail- 
road Company, \\liic-h at first crippled their own road to prevent 
the ])assiiige of trooj>s. soon favored the troops, who protected 
their property. Before two months' the members of the Ulster 
Guard were a.s much resi>ected on the strange soil of Maryland, 
as they wei'e in their own neighborhoods of their native County. 
An elei'tion called to fill the seats in the special scission of Con- 
gress, in the District occupied by the troops from Ulster, resulted 
almost unanianonsly foi' the Union ciindidates, and this without 
interference or the least appearance of contirol on the i>art of the 
troops. Oi-ganized effoirts lo attack and sm'pinse the Camp were 
from time to tim<^ discovered and broken up before they riiiened. 
One project of the kind, undertaken upon a very dark night, wa« 
foiled by the vigilance of one of the outside .sentinels, and the 
alarm being given, the movement dispersed through the darkneas, 
leaving only tracks and the nodse of retreat as evidence of its 
foaee. An actual engagement did not take place 3 for it waa not 



87 

provoked by negkcting vigilance. Xto individual ease of violence 
occiuTcd; for tlie conduct of tlie men caused respect instead of 
•l)roils. It was a conquest more glorious than an abject subjuga- 
tion, tliat, when it was understocwl to^Vlards the close of June to 
l>e the intention of Gen. Bankvs to order tlie Regiment to Balti- 
more, the inhabitants petitioned the Commandant of the Depart- 
ment to continue the Twentieth in the occupation of the ix>sition 
they then held. 

On tlie 28th of May. whilst the Twentieth was at the Junction, 
Lieut. Col. Hiram Schoomnaker submitted his re-signation to tlie 
officers of the Regiment. It was known to be caused by reasons 
not attriibutalble to a dislike of his associates or the: service, and 
produced a deep regret, which had expression at a meeting at 
wliioh tlie fact was first leiuned iby the officers. An election to 
fill the vacancy was held, and Major Tlieodore B. Gates, entitled 
by rank to the sucoessiion, was cheerfully elected to the position. 
The choice Avas proved to have 'been a wise one. Jacob B. Harden- 
bergh, who liad held tJie post of Adjutant since the organization 
of the Regi.ment. was chosen :Major, and though at first inclined 
to nefuse the additional responsibility of that place, his eminent 
fitness made his fellow officers insist upon his acceptance. Mau- 
rice W. McEntee was appointed from Co. H in place of Mr. HJar- 
denbergh, proauoted. 

CHAPTER V. 

The Regiment in Camp at Athens, in 18G0, as lias been said, 
was commended at its inspection by the Officers of the State for 
its discipline and proficiency in drill and batallion movements. 
Recruiting it up to a war standard, introduced, of course, a very 
large number of undisciplined soldiers. Some whole companies 
were fresJi from ordinary business, and had never had the first 
lesson in the school of the soldier. In the hun-y of forwarding 
troops the Reginnent marchetl without an o])port unity to practice 
in batallion. Xo chance for exercise was oft'ered in Xew York 
city, and during the early part of its stay on the Annaiw>lis road, 
the Regiment was scattered, and only a portion of the companies 
appeared in line. But drills in squads and comixinies was quickly 
ac(|uired by the presence ami example of the original members of 
the Regiment. ^Mien tlie companies, therefore. gTadually gath- 
ered at Head-Quarteas as they wei-e relieved from picket duty 



88 

on account of the gi'owing loyalty along the road, they rapidly 
acquired, by drill, gi-eat steadiness in executing the most difficult 
of the movements of ttlie batallion, and soon (became one of the 
'l>e.'^t appearing Regiments in the field. The exposure of picket 
s<erviee had worn out mo«t of the. clothing taken with the Regi- 
jnent, and the regular army uniform furnishe<.l instead was fre^h 
a-nd ga-ve a general appearance much above others \\hich were 
passing on the way to tlie uamps abooit Washington. This creat- 
ed a feeling among the soldiers of the Twentieth that they ought 
to be relieve<l and sent forward where it was thought active work 
would soon commence. Two months had made the Camp at the 
Junctioix mono4;o«iou«. The service had giown lighter, because 
the Camp was less menaced by attack, and soldiers always grow 
uneasj' Avhen their service is relieved of danger and the excite- 
ment of the war hazzards. 

An ordei' at last arrived foi- the Regiment to be in readiness 
to march, and all prepared with alacrity, thinking Washington 
the de.stination ; but it afterwards appeared by an order from 
(Jenl. Banks, received by Col. Pratt June 26th, that the Twen- 
tieth was one of the Regiments assigned to the protection of the 
I'nion Cause in the city of Baltimore. 

The order was not sativsfactory to the Regiment generally, 
though the fitness of Col. Pratt and his coanmand for the service 
assigned, shows the wisdom of the Commanding General. He 
was, no doubt, influenced in the selection by wliat he had already 
\\-itnes.sed of the Ulster County troops, in tiie performance of the 
duties already discharged, and which were similar to those which 
would be required in their new position. 

Baltimoi-e has a peculiarly unfortunate history eonneoted with 
the war. Its commercial interests wei-e with the South, tending 
to Virginia and along the Southern coast, and impelleu the busi- 
ness men of the city to sympathize with the action and welfare 
of the seceded Statas. On the otiier hand, its beautiful dwellings, 
])arks, and the monuments and other public ornaments, so much 
the piide of Bjvltimoreans, were within easy range of the guns of 
I'ort [MoHenry, already turned city-ward ]>y the riot of the inth 
of April, and the laro-e num.ber loyal from such motives augment- 
eni the influence of the true Union men. 

An animosity gi-ew between these two parties to a much more 



89 

bitter hostility tlian partisan feeling alone would cause; for- tlie 
dread, of approaching collision \vitli arms matle all suspicious and 
auxioiis. Baltimore was in fact a slumibei'ing volcano, and the 
discovery of arms in large qviaiitities secreted and under control 
of the municipal officers and the police, kno^^•n to lean strongly 
in their sympathies toward the rebels, impelled Gen. Banks- to 
occupy the city with a sufficient force and protect the Union 
Cause by ^Martial Law. 

It was with this view that the Twentieth was moved from 
the Junction, and together with six other Regiments encamped 
adjacent to the city. The Ulster Guard pitdred its tents at Pat- 
terson Park at the eastei'n terminus of Baltimore street,, the 
principal one for business in the city, whilst tJie Thirteenth from 
Brooklyn occupied the other extremity of the saane street, a dis- 
tance of about five miles from each other. Three Regiments of 
Pennsylvania militia, one of :Mai-yland volunteers, and a battei-y 
of light artillery from Boston, were also encamped on tn© city 
outskirts, whilst a batallion of ]\Iassaehusetts militia and two 
Companies of regulars- were stationed at the Fort. 

Such was the condition of the occupation on [Monday morning, 
July 1st, when the Twentieth was oi-dered to occupy the principal 
Police Station and the Custoin House, posts distant about one 
mile from each other, and in the heart of the city. For this piu"- 
pose the Regiment was divided near- y equal, and the right wing 
under Lieut.-Col. Gates, located at the Police Station, and the 
left wing and Head-Quarters at the Custom House, supported 
by a detachment of the Boston battery with two of their pieces 
unlimbered on the sidewalk near the i>rincipal entrance. 

Two important plans of the rebels were thus frustrated. The 
old police claimed still the right to hold their places, and di-aw 
their pay, and were organizing to take possession of the Police 
Head-Quarters and tiun out the new force just established by the 
Pi-ovost [Marshal. In the Custom House was deposited the Gov- 
ernment revenue of the Port, and a large sum to be used by the 
depot officers of the Army. The rebel officials had already shown 
gi-eat quickness in discovering and ransacking the Government 
treasui-es, and active combinations were in progress to give the 
rebellion a new vigor by its breaking out in force in so excellent a 
field as among a crowded population like Baltimore. A whole 
12 



90 

roginicnl had beon organized and eijuippcd fiw tlie Rebel Army 
from the young men of the city, and it \\oiila have given an 
immense imi>etus to this work, if rebellioiii eonhl liave laid its 
li;iii(l iiiKPU tlic Cosciiniient tieasines. antl tlie lieavy fcmnding 
madiinery with which Jialtimore is so well supplied. 

It bei-anie Col. l^ratfs work at onee to operate witb the new 
police in ferreting out and breaking up these combinations. In 
three days it had been so effectually accom]dished. that the 4tli 
of .Inly dawnc<l upon jialtinroi'e as loyal a city as any of the 
liiioii. Tlie cannon of the Fort and of the adjacent Camps wel- 
come<l tlie sun with an old-fasihioned salute: the National Colors 
luuig out in most e.\tna.vagant generosity; the Union meai with 
bright smiles againi greeted each other witli heartfelt thanks, 
tliat Baltimoa-e A\a.s fairly free from tbe heel of rebel desipotism; 
and linally, though the streets had the quiet of a camp, it was a 
pleasant thoiiglit for all the loyal people that their Old Coxern- 
nient was still recognized. 

CHAPTElR ^'I. 

In two weeks the <-ity of BaltiiiKire had wo-nderfnlly improved 
in loyalty. Even corner gatherings no long'er used insulting 
language to the Federail troops, and toi every ap]>eairance the rebel 
combinations haxl been broken u]>. Tlie 'I'wentieth M'as relieved, 
and returne<l to the tents and sh«<le of its encampment. Patter- 
isoji Park is beautifully located on high ground overlooking the 
Avhole city, the iianhor an<l the mouth of the Patajvsco beyond the 
Fort, and down the hay into the Chesapeake. To the north and 
east the iiiiiiicMse i'atterson estate. u|ion which was reared the 
famous Betsy Patterson, the (lisi-arded wife of the Bonaparte 
Prince, gives- a pleasant outline aii<l a i>icturesnue landscape. The 
»[>ot bears interesting reminiscences of the war of 1812. still pre- 
serving the line of int renclnueiits hihI ^..e majiiii/jine useu at that 
time to protect the city trniii the IVritish invaders iimler (Jenl. 
Ross. The ohi I'ark i^ thickly sha<lc,l aixl sodded, ami atlords a 
delightful l<iuii-g<' m the afternoon heat of a southern July. The 
Holdie-rs here reaU and tascus-sed the newspajier plans and proplj- 
et^ies of the advan*^^ of the main Ixxly of the Federal army 
towants Alana.ssas. and divided m opinion as to whether glory 
there or the j>re-eiit dcdight of sliade aiu. rest were to be pre- 
ferred. The news of the actual ad\an(e wime, and very many 



91 

longed to be of the number, and iuil,i;oJ Lu.o management bad that 
eondemned s-o many strong aamis to inactive eaise. 

On Sunday, July 2Lst, during a sievere rain and pitchy dark- 
ness, at 1 o'clodv at niglit, the Camp A\-as aroused by an order to 
be in readinesis for an iniinediate maicJi. The tidinigs of the dis- 
astrous defeat of the Federal forees. had rieached the Depaa'tment 
Head-Quartersi, and it was tlie intention of (lenl. Banks to evacu- 
ate Baltimore and join the Mmiy at ^^'alshing•ton ^^■Hh his whole 
force, to protect the Capital, which was ag«in in imminent dan- 
ger. This intention AsaLS subsequently changed, as later tidings 
assured him that tlie Eebel Commanding General had not been 
able to profit by his victoiy. 

The Cluster Rolls of the TAventieth dated from Aiuil 23, end- 
ing a three months' service on the 23d of July. It was intended to 
discharge tlie Regiment at that time; but tlie late disaster con- 
fused the whole Federal plan;- — called Clenl. Banks to the Com- 
mand of the Army of the Sheniandoah, and wliilst it made Wash- 
ington iaisecure, ga\'e a new impetus to rebellion at Baltimoi'e. 
It WHS not deemed safe to decrease the force at that city. On 
the other hand, three Regiments were ordered from Fortress Mon- 
roe, to increase the force. The Twentieth was obliged, therefore, 
to A\ait its turn to be relieved. This delay was thought by some 
to be a hardship. The picture of family and home ^^•as vividly 
painted upon the anticipations of many of the soldiers. The 
2;id of July had come to be viewed in the light of an appointed 
pleasure, not easily put aside. But the predominant feeling of 
patriotism controlled the mass, and kept down any formidable 
e.xiliibition of discontent. Revolts from the cause describetl oc- 
curred in several Regiments about Baltimore, and the failure of 
Genl. Patterson to play his pant in the advance on ^lanassas was 
charged to the same cause, and greatly disgraced a j)ortion of the 
army. It is a pride Ulster County people may well feel in their 
soldiers that they did not incur a similar disgrace. 

With patriotic devotion to duty not weakened when they had 
obeyed its letter, they i>ersevered in obeying its spirit also, and 
abided in full efficiency the convenience of the Government to 
relieve them from the service. 

It was made a part of the closing sei"vices of the Twentieth to 
complete the work of securing Baltimore from the influence of 



93 

the men who had been implicated in the discovered rebel com- 
binations. For that purpose, a. detax-hment consisting of Com- 
panies A, G and R, started on :Monday, July 29th, on board the 
steamer Jo&eph ^Mlitney, in eliarge of the airrested police com- 
missioners and other prisoners, to lodg-e them in Fo<rt Lafayette, 
in Xew York harbor. This duty was satisfactorily accomplished. 

The remainder of the Regiment was iielieved at Baltimore on 
the 31st day of July, and on the moi'ning of Angiist 1st arrived 
in New York city, and being joined by the three eoimpanies, 
Avhich had arrived the previous day. enrbarked on board the ^lan- 
'hattan on her regular up trip, and the Ulster County troops were 
that evening mustei'ed out and honoirably discharged from their 
tenn of service. The Ulster Guard thus marching among the 
first in response to the call of the President, w^as the last but 
one in the homeward line. 

It is not lessening the "lor\' of the Eeyiments whose services 
in the war \\ ere involved in the memorable and bloodj' battle of 
-tihe 21 sit of July, in front of Washington, to claim as much for 
the Ulster County troojis. They ijerformed and performed well 
the services the Government assigned to them. That their 
ranks A\ere not serried in actual encounter, was of the accidents 
whic-li might have put them in the front of the thicl^est part of 
the battle. 

Tt is, however', a part of tlic praise due the management of 
the Ulster County troops, that but three deaths occuiTed during 
their service. Of these, one was an aceidentail shot, and the 
other two from disease. That fatal casualties were so much 
fewer tliaii tlie most sanguine eoidd have predicted, must be at- 
tributed to the vigilant police, the prudence and sObr-iety of the 
officers and men. 

CHAPTER VII. 

The achievements of Ulster County in tlie war have not been 
left to tlie soldiers alone. The devotion of the volunteer has at 
all times been clieorfully acknowledged and appreciated by the 
people at home. J<]\ery elfoit that could be matle to furnish the 
troops with eomfor-table equipments was put forth before they 
started — under difficulties, to l>e sure, which were caused by the 
luii-ry of tilu'ir departiu-e; 'but they were followed to the war by 
a constant solicitude and their wants sought out and supplied. 



93 

The Regiment was luider special o'bligatioiis to ^h\ Henry H. 
Reynolds, avIio took iniich time from his official duties to seek 
out ways in which he could add comforts to the Ulst^er County 
troops. His visits to the Camps of the Regiment were followed 
hx oontriibutions of sihoes, and underclothing, and those in- 
numera'ble articles that his keen charity discoveried as proper 
comforts to relieve the hardships of the Soldier's life. The ready 
ingenuity and industry of the Ulster County women were guided 
much by his advice in the memorable services that were rendered 
bj' them at home, as they \\ere mindful of their soldiers abroad. 
The camp at the Junction was named Camp Reynolds, in ac- 
knowledgment of such acts of judicious and thoughtful benevo- 
lence. This mucli Avas done at tlie time to reward a zeal for the. 
causie as far as possible removed from any selfish or sordid 
motives. r 

It may be mentioned here — for it is due to the truth of his- 
tory — that the women everywhere have been the brightest exam- 
j)les of patriotism. Their smiles attended the troops all along their 
route to the war. Tlieir confidence and courage have cheered the 
cause in its most desponding moments. In Baltimore, where the 
ladies have activity, spirit, intelligent-e and heroism, they even 
outsitripped the Union men in exhibitions of loyalty. The beau- 
tiful National Color's, which the . Regiment brought home as one 
of its tiophies, is the gift of the industry and devoted patriotism 
of the Baltimore ladies, who took this means of acknowledging 
the services of the Ulster County troops in i>res€rving their city 
faithful to the Constitutio-n and the Laws of the Country. 

It is pleasnint. amid the disasti'ous consequences of waa*, to re- 
cur to such acts. Wie learn that there are bright spots even 
amid devastation and blood. They revive the ever dear mem- 
ories of our first Revolutionary times. They prove that acts of 
heroism have not perished from the earth. 

If til is war accomplisbe-i iiotliing more of advantage to the 
race, it has raised our opinion ot our own times by bringing out acts 
race, it has raised our oidiiion of our times bv brin<'in,"' out acts 
of iiidi\idu-al sacrifice and daring that do credit to the virtue and 
patriotism of tlie Fathers of the Rejiuiblic. May be our trials our 
meant to ])urify our love of liberty, and will make our free in- 
stitutions to be better prized, and the Union more prosperous and 
luiited. 



ADDKE.SS 01" WiJJJA-M LUL'XSBERY, ESQ., 
Before the 

ULSTER COUNTY AGRICULTURAL 

SOCIETY, 

Sept. 25fcl), 1SG2. 



(i'luiii the I^iigstou Jotunal.) 

31r. I'resident, Ladies and (Jentlemen : 

The animal gatheiiiry of the producing classes of Ulster Coun- 
ty at this time, is an ocoaisiou of more than its usual importauoe. 
A domestic war, whilst it has, as yet, ispare^l oiu- houses and 
farms from the luthless waste of passing laranies, lias nevei-the- 
less d'liained olf a considerable portion of the laboring popula- 
tion, and imjKJsed burdensome taxes. Men, who from other 
oceupation, or want of occupation, have not before this de\oted 
thenuselves to the soil, are likely to be stimulated to that pur- 
suit by the demands of the times; and our old agTicultiiralists, 
with new taxes iniposeil, must meet with spirit and intelligence 
the new levy upon their land. 

It may be stated here at the outset, that aigiiculture inij)lics 
.something more than planting and reaping. It implies cultiva- 
tion of the soil, an<l leaches the desired end. when it protluces 
the laiige'st profit compared witJi the expenses and labor em- 
ployed. If, then, the farms of our coiuity can, by a more in- 
dustiious or intelligent cultivation, be made to yield an addition- 
al ])rolit, etiual to the ad<Iitional burck'us of taxation, we are not 
likely to be greatly iraipoveri»hed by the disasters of the eountiy. 
Our farmers, by dealing witli this subject in a pRictieal way, 
ean thus compensate themselves for the additional exi>en«es of 
the (iovernment, in a nmch more .satiwfaotory manner than by 
simply grumbling a.t a fortune, which by wliomsoevcr brought 
uj[>on us, Ls nevertheless a necessity that must be borne by all. 



95 

I liaive tlius alluded to the oondition of our country in this 
eoimeotaon, for the nation lias been principally indebted to our 
agricultural resources for its financial vigor in thius far with- 
standing the efforts of foreign countries, and England especially, 
to break down our credit and thus compel our gioverninent, from 
bankru])tcy. to yield to the desiigns and wishes of the leaders in 
the Southern rebellion. Wlien the great export staple, cotton, 
was locked up by the rebel leaders, or biirnt in the path of our 
advancing army, aiul our stocks held abroad, were pushed into 
O'ur market by the discredit gi\eR them by English newspapers, 
we were inde^bted to the granaries of the West, and the immense 
agricultural resoui-ces of tlie country for the means to restore 
the balance of trade, and to preserve the credit of our fovern- 
ment at lionie. Even now the TOuntries of Europe are crying for 
footl more than clothing, and they may yet learn that they have 
a, more arbitrairy monarch in corn than in cotton. 

The farmers of Ulster have a duty to peiform in swelling the 
amount of our surplus food, and in helping to supply the every 
year increassing deficiency in the foreign market. The resources 
of a country depend uiion the energj% spirit and industry of a 
])eople. and our rapid igi-owth whilst the government was little 
felt, can be kept steadily forward with a little additional indus- 
try. The waste and extravagance of prosperous times, will, if 
now saved, be sufficient to pay the extra expenses of our domes- 
tic wai-. 

It is satisfactory to be able by figures to prove to you, how 
rapidly the energies of the country have grappled in the manner 
already indicated, the trying circumstances in which the nation 
is tbrown, and we quote from the financial articles of a Xe^v 
York paper of the last and present month in this connection: 

"A comparative statement of exports, exclusive of specie, 
from the port of New York to foreign ports, foi- the week ending 
August 26 and since January 1. 

1860 1861 1862 

Total for the week $2,021,402 .$2,275,158 $2,934,797 

Previously report ed 56,572,056 81,716,278 86,382,735 



Since January 1 $58,593,458 $83,991,431 .$89,317,582 



96 

Upon wliicli the e<litor romarks : "This export falling tint little 
short of three million dolkws, will swell the aggregate outward 
movement of domestic produce for tlie month of August to the 
unprecedented figiu-cs of fourteen millions of dollars — that is to 
say fully doivble the average export of August in the old pros- 
pei-ous times, when the cliief article we sent to Europe was 
cx>tton. If the Soutliern leaders could have realized that New 
York would ship $14,000,000 worth of produce in a month 
without cotton, the rebellion might never have broken out. 

•■'A comparative statement of the exjMjrts (exclusive of 
s.pecie) from New York to foreign ports for the week ending 
September 23. and since January 1: 

1860 1861 1862 

For the week $ 2,179,802 $ 2,,2!)5,553 $ 4,134,421 

Previously repoa-ted 64,781,733 90,719,355 92,705.512 



Since January 1 $66,901,535 $93,014,908 $102,839,933 

Upon wlidch tlio editor remarks: "This enormous export ex- 
ceeds the calculations of every one. Notwithstanding the un- 
exjiected amount of imports, our exports increase in even greater 
proportion. At this rate the exports of produce from New Y'ork, 
exclusive of cotton, will amount this year to the unparalleled 
figure of $130,000,000." 

Tliese figures need no oomment. They speak in plain and un- 
mistakaible language of tlie resources of the eountiy, and the in- 
telligence with whicili they have been developed. 

Intelligence is of itself a producer. It does not work in auy 
fixed rut, like an anticpiated notion, nor in the vaseillating and 
fickle manner of the new fasliion, but it applies itself to the 
demands of the times and circumstances — to the acoidents of the 
woi'ld and life, — and thus when war lias dried up one fountain of 
wealth and resource, it strikes with a magic wand another rock, 
and plenteous streams flow forth. 

Successful farming depends upon the intelligence of the peo- 
ple. By that I mean the ciipacitj- by wliich they adopt means to 
an end. I do not believe that there is a fixed rule by which land 
can be prcparetl for a pai'ticular seed, or tliat agricultural chera- 



97 

istry ever so well studied, will teach one what stimulant a cer- 
tain soil needs to bring forward to hest advantage a given crop. 
Intelligent farming applies cliemistry to experience and sets both 
to work upon the circumstances presented. It does not adopt 
unquestionied, any given formula of the ibooks, but tiests for it- 
self what is 'best for the end desired. 

THE SOIL 

of Ulster County represents nairly all the varieties of tliis cli- 
mate, from the heavy rich alluvial, to the mountain siu'face. 
Within the last ten years a considea'able quantity of the latter 
variety has been reduced to cultivation, and my attention at- 
tracted to this fact by lately looking at the south slope of the 
Shawangimk, and 'by traversing the moimtain roads of the 
northern towns, I have been surprised at the amount of upland 
now cultivated in this coiuity, and the aanount of produce an- 
nually gathered from that kind of soil. Especially in northern 
ShaTidaken, opened a few years agO' by the Ulster & Delaware 
Plank Rond, to the market, has progress in intelligent farming 
been rapid in a most gT'atifying degree. There are in that town, 
which a few years aigo, was almost as wild as the red man left 
it, noAV many very valuable fanns, attesting the industry and 
intelligence and home comforts of its present inhabitants. The 
bark lands have been mostly stripped of the wealth natm-e gave 
^bountifully, and now it is discovered that mucli of them is high- 
ly productive, both of grass and cereal crops. The value of tliis 
kind of land has arisen in actual value from 50 cents to $2.50 
per acre, from access to market and the additional value given it 
by labor. The average value of cultivated land in that town is 
albout $10 per acre, whilst some fanns are valued at $50 per acre. 

In speaking of the value of farm land, I can mention one fact 
apparent to all. That the mamver in which a farm is kept does 
much towards fixing its market value. The mairk on Cain's 
brow, which scarred his expression mth a Tirother's blood, was 
no more apparent than the- appearance of the fences and build- 
ings and the surface of the farm denote tlie character of the 
owner, and give a value to the fairm itself independent of lo- 
cation. 

Our most valuable land for aigrioultural piu-poses is located 
13 



98 

along the margin of the Esopiis and Wallkill. Witii the excep- 
tion of the [MoJiawk Valley, there is no land in the State of New 
York that Avill 'l>ear woppinp- with heavy cereals, with a smaller 
supply of artilicial stimulant. The Wallkill has much the largest 
extent of valley, and tlie surplus food of Ulster is mostly raised 
in that section of the county. The faa-uiers of New Paltz have 
been for years hoarding considerable fortun.es, and the Huguenot 
Ba.nk, with a capital stock of $100,000, represents a portion of 
the siuphis which has been tinned out form the alluvial deposits 
of tliis fertile valley, which stretches out from the foot of the 
Shawangimk range toward the South in a surface of about 45 
square miles. The surplus crop of this section, which is carried 
to New York by the barges from New Paltz, has been estimated 
at $ir)0,000 for a good season. So uiuch of a granary Ulster is 
for the crowded cities of oiu- country and the old world. 

A fancy value is rapidly attaching to our river front, for the 
home of the later life of the successful business man. Our pros- 
l>erous days tinned out from New York yearly a crop of men 
Mho lia\e there accunuilated fortunies. These seek the ooimtry 
somewhere along the usual thoroughfare or upon the banks of the 
Hudson, from the world of business upon the soil and devote them- 
selves to beautifying it instead of turning it to the more homely 
and useful work. I shall speak of such again, only remarking 
here how much soil Ulster has yet to spare for such, affording a 
river front of about 40 miles, superior in its natural scenery to 
that of Dutchess, which is alreaoy nearly all taken up for this 
piu-j^ose. 

of evea'y variety, ado2)ted to om- climate, can be raiseil upon so 
varied a soil as Ulster affords, and it is to this siDbject the farm- 
er's intelligent obseivation should he directeKl. Hay, oats, corn, 
wheat, rye and jwtatoes are the principal crops raised to such an 
extent as to produce a supply above our home consumption. Of 
the lirst three, Ulster is a large c-onsuiiicr on account of tlio 
Canal and the quarrying, and attention should be paid to their suc- 
cessful cultivation. Hay is especially piotitable, because little 
labor is re<piire<i in its cultivation. The lion. William Kelly, 
whose fa>rni of al)out 700 acres in Dutchess County, is anostly 
devoted to hay, realizes aibout 900 tons or nearly $10,000 on the 



99 

aveiiagie for his 350 aoi«8, from wliicli lie reaps Ms aimual hay 
crop. His plan is not io break up his meadows, as is the general 
custom, after five or six crops. Instead of having his meadows 
renewed he adds topdnessing to his wlioJe park and sows in new 
seed where it sihows an appearance of running out. His practice 
of rolling his meadows' should be followed 'by eviery farmer where 
it is possible; for by tliat means the soil is firmly attached to 
the roots and the danger of the soil running ofl' by heavy rains, 
or the small plants being thrown out by the frost is avoided. 
He also reeommends a mixiture of red top and timothy as pro- 
ducing a more firm and vigorous sotl. I examined tlic quality 
of his crop at the time he was cutting it in AugTist, this year. 
His large park was uniform in quality and the grass was thick, 
tall and course, sho\\ii)g thrifty growtli and giving a heavy yield, 
superior to many new meadows that I examined about the same 
time in this county, which bad been brought forward with skillful 
husbandry. Hay growing is [Mr. Kelly's special crop, and he has 
devoted much study and intelligence to its successful culture, as 
well as to its marketing, in good condition. At the time I was 
at his farm ho was supplying an oider for a cargo for the use for 
the army. His Avagons were iinloaded at his dock, and in his 
store house the hay was, during an afternoon and part of the 
following day, pressed, and rolled on board the vessel that was 
to convey it to its destination on the James River. 

It is, of course, impossible for all to possess themselves of some 
of the natural advantages of Mr. Kelly's farm for hay cultiva- 
tion. I have, however, alludeil to some facts in this connection, 
which will be found, I think, useful. 

Oats is a crop for whidi our upland farms ai-e specially adapt- 
ed, and it can be grown and prepared for market, with a hand- 
some profit, at the prices it has sold at uniformly in this County, 
and I am satisfied that our County oats, sold by our good farmers, 
are superior in weight and quality to that imported from other 
parts of the eountry. 

jSIy impression, from recent investigation, is tliat our farmws 
are grooving more rye than they ought. Wheat, it has been 
found, can be cultivated here on all the land that will produce 
rye. Neither grow well on poor soil. But wheat will always 
command a large price and yield a larger profit. In England, of 



L ofC. 



100 

late years, rye is omly produced for a few eccentric appetites. 
The staple head is wheat, and for feed other grains are superior, 
and can I)o raised in larger quaiitities than rj'e. 

Potatoes shoukl never be grown for niarkoting in bulk, except 
u])on new soil or on sandy and porous soil. Too many are lost 
from rot where the isoil is of a stilf loam, and particularly if low 
and wet. 

THE 8T00K 

of a farm is an imporbant branch of husbandry. The English 
espe<^'ially excel in this particular as farniers, and our best breeds 
are ini]>orted from that country. With them the sheep is an es- 
pecial favorite, and I think our farmers do not sufficiently prize 
this animal as a means of profit. It is easily fed, hardy for tlie 
winter, •gi^-.es an excellent foo<l, and at the same time gives the 
moist active and rich manure for fertilizing the land. We haive 
in this country reaped much at little cost, from the improvement 
inade in England in this kind of stock by the process of selection. 
It is by )iu means difiicult to raise in this countrj' a much larger 
quantity of sheep, and the increased demaJid foi- wool and the 
price of mutton in the market should induce our farmers to give 
more attention to this kind of stoi-k. 

Attention to the breed is lierc highly important. In "La- 
verne's Rural Economy of England,'^ s])eaking of this .subject, 
there is mentione<l this curious fact, that in 1781), a society hav- 
ing been formed fo,r the jiropagation of the celeibrated Balcewell's 
herd of s'lieep, be let his ram« to it for one season, at the enor- 
mous j)rice of (),000 guijieas, about ip:3t),000. This looks like an 
enormous sum for one society to invest in an improved herd, 
but those who have investigated the ques-tion and the results 
produced in England, by the "Di«.hley" and "South Down" breeds, 
^\ill dis<-ovcr with what interest this investment was returned. 

In cattle we have also imijwrted our best breeds from England, 
lhf>ugh Mc have at the jjresent time, in our own State, several 
farmers who have brought forward breeds of cattle under their 
own eye, that rival in beauty anything that has been hitely im- 
ported, or (nii- cattle bi-eeders, Mr. Thorne, of Dutehess, for 
A-ariety of stock and size of herd, is, pei-haps, first in the State; 
whilst, for thorough bred stock and uniformity of herd, he is 
smpassed by Mx. Kelly, whose herd is the short horn Durham, a 



101 

race renKarkable for predisposition to fatten and at the same 
time for its lactiferous qualities. His herd is of singular uni- 
formity and beauty, and greatly impresses the observer with the 
advantages of the breed for market, as well as for milk. Mr. 
Peter H. Brink, of Saugerties, in this founty, has lately taken a 
commendable interest in the improvement of his herd. Upon the 
ground today I have noticed a Devon Bull of singular be«uty, as 
a speoimen of that very excellent breed. It is more hardy than 
the Durham and better adapted to our northern towns. It is 
superior to the thorough-bred short horn in its certainty of 
propagation. The enterprise of ilr. Brink will soon be disccrn- 
able in all the herds of his neighborhood. 

All stock to be reniunerative must be well kept and then to 
realize proper returns, too much attention cannot be paid to the 
selection of the breed. 

ROADS 

should also have the fai^ner's attention, for the farm and its 
produce is greatly indebted for itis value, to the facilities for 
market. Farmers are too aipt to overlook this fact, and ignore 
their duties in the establishment of good roads. Oui- northern 
towns litave been slow in this particular, and there is a large tract 
of very excellent land in the town of Denning that would be at 
once raised in value much more than sullieient to repay the outlay 
of a road from tiie Sullivan county line to the Plank Road at 
Shokan. It is naturally a section of ridi farm land, and only 
needs aceesis to market to make its value known and appreciated. 
These are times of expanded cireulation, and the currency of the 
country is being swelled by immense iss'ues' of government se- 
curity. These seek investment and all stocks that promise per- 
manence are held at hctitious value. It is a good time to put 
into market such kind of stoc-k as would be otfered by incorpora- 
tions to build roads in oni- noi-thern towns and from Kingston 
to P^llenville. These projects, which have been already before our 
people, deserve the earnest attention of the farmers, as well as of 
the business men who have been heretofore the leaders in sucli 
entei-.prises. 

OOUXiTRY LIFE 

and the love of oA\ning land is a peculiarity of the Saxou char- 
acter. The Latin race, from which arises the Spanish and Italian 



102 

}ieoi>le, has a i)rcdelictiou for the town aaid eity life. It is so too 
with tha-t i>eeuliar people the Jews. They are by instinct at- 
tached to trade, and resort ultimately to the densely populated 
cities. 

Our own: land is much indebted to this bent of our extraction 
for the wealth and beauty of tlie country and oui- natural love 
of farm life. It is this fiRt I have already alluded to, that brings 
out from our commercial cities every year its crop of retired busi- 
ness men, to hold their more extensive possessions in the country. 
It is this which gives to every man of close business habits a de- 
sire to retire after a time upon his own laud. The feverish air 
of the city; the jostle of the crowded streets; the disappointed 
ambition and tired hopes, are transferred to the beautiful land- 
.scape, the coonfortable dwelling and the pure air of the open 
tields. 

1 will speak again in tbis connection, of the fann of Mt. Kelly, 
on the river opposite us. It is about 22 years since he retired 
from a ])rolitaible business in New York, and commenced devoting 
bis accumulated wealth to making the l)c>mc of his later life con- 
form to his nual tastes, and the independent babits of a farmer, 
lie .selected tbc farm he now owns and devoted hiis sm-plus annual 
income to beautifying these 700 acres of land. We have no titles 
in tliis country— it would make no man more a gentleman if we 
had. ^^■o have no aristocracy — and wesilth would be no more en- 
joyable if we bad. Tlic titled name, Mr. Kelly, does not possess; 
but the spirit of a gentleman and tlie tasite to cast himself amid 
nature trained to beauty, has offered liini all that a noble uian 
can desire. Here ho studies farming for the pleasure successful 
farming gives as a triumjjh to his intelligence, ^\■itll little re- 
gard to first co&ts, he has selected his blooded stock, and him- 
Belf watches its development. His barns and yards are, as well 
as Iws house, constnuted for architectural effect. His Green 
House has jdants and fruits of the tropics, ripening under his eye. 
His workmen are grouped ui)on his farm, and their families con- 
tented and hapjiy, form a part of the idoture the whole laAvn and 
park and meadows c-ontain, and which he can look upon as a 
part of his Avork. 

This may appeal- as .simply tiiie language of llattcry towards 
a livin" man; but it is intended as an illustration of the com- 



103 

forls that can be girouped in the bosom of the country, upon which 
a man can retire as his own. It is mot a pioture overdrawn, for I 
have lost iinany of the sentiments the scene inspired when I visited 
his farm in August last. It is not overdiawn, for many of the 
appliances of comfort which have been isuggested to his intelligence 
are not susee])tible of description. The electric telegraph which 
ooimnunieated between his house and sta/bles; the curious plant 
and tree whidh has become aissociated to its owner by its own 
peculiar history, and has a value which he alone appreciates, are 
comforts others cannot participate with him; but the main value 
of his wealth and his taste is a part of the common property of 
his neighborhood. He ha-s ibnought a beautiful home to all as an 
example. His property which is carried witli his person out of 
the city, helps the public prosperity of his county, and bears it« 
share of the local taxes. He has beautifi^ed the banks of the river, 
and helped make up a panorama to which millions of passengers 
have had a free ticket of admission. I have selected his place as 
an illustration ibeeause it is one of the earliest and it is now the 
nrosit complete of the hundreds that line and decorate the banks of 
the Hudson. Its owner is a contented man and devoted witli bis 
whole Jieart to a farmers pursuits, and on this account I have 
selected the illustration. 

The beautifying of the farmer's home is one of the lessons I 
would commend to the owner of the soil. The domestic virtues 
grow more beautiful when they are trained amid pleasant sur- 
nonndings. Home and country become more lovely as they fill 
our aspirations after earthly happiness. The fann and the farm- 
er's dwelling is his, and his ambition to make it attractive and 
contribute to his wealth and comfort jostle against no one. It 
is an ambition which begets no malice from neighlwrs. It gives 
an honest independence that does nolt saivor of selfishness. It 
gives a happiness that is not boiUght by poisoning another's cup. 

The farmer and his family in such an as])ect present a pictvu-e 
that has been the admiration of the world for all time. It wiU 
bear a touch of lavish praise. It is here where honesty and virtue 
are reai'ed, wliere religion takes firmest and most eiuleariiig hold 
upon its votaries. It is here where patriotism is bred, and where 
as a last resort, we look for eon-ect views of statesmanship. 
Clreat generals hiave come suddenly from the plow, and having 



104 

grasped the sword and led to victory, gracefully and modestly 
laid it by. 

The poet, Hallec.k, lias well ?aid of our Americau farmers: 

"View them near 
At home, where all tlieir worth and power is placed, 
And theae their hospitable fires burn clear, 
And there the lowest farm house hearth is graced 
With manly hearts, in piety sincere, 
Faithful in love, in honor sitem and chaste, 
In friendship wann and true, in danger brave. 
Beloved in life and S'ainted in the grave." 

I canmot close without reference to the casualties of the pres- 
ent war, which have sitnick close to the hearts of th© farmeiis of 
our country. I utter a common feelinig when I give public ex- 
pression to the sympathy which sprinigs to every lip a» the coi'pse 
of the patriotic dead and the sad rites of burial aanid our peaceful 
homes, pass about our streets. The bereaved family of the dead 
soldiea- as well as the cause in which he died, is the public 
solicitude. 

In the death of the gallant Colonel Pratt, of the Ulster Eegi- 
ment, the fanners of the county have suffered a public calamity, 
by losing in the prime of life ami activity one of their most eii- 
terprising assiociates. But shortly before the war commenced. 
Col. Pratt had punchased an estate upon the bank of the Hudson, 
and liad oomimenced the amilntion which was likely to occupy his 
life, to give scope to hiei native love of country life and fhe noble 
hosipitalit}' of his natiu'e. This work just blossoming under his 
hand, lias been ruthlesisily stopi>ed by a calamity that is only re- 
lieved by the glorj- of his detiith in so noble a cause. 

We can only shed the tears of sympathy upon the grave whicli 
covers so much of hope and promise— so much of lofty enterprise 
and patriotsm — and learn the sweetness and glory of a death for 
our coimtry. 

Our liberties, baptized in the blood of our first revolution, aro 
yei dear as the apple of the eye, and are worth tlie price of blood 
and treasure that are now ofTercil for their preservation. These 
present ca'laniities will give a useful lesson if they solber our im- 
pulses and teach us by the sacrifices of others how much to prize 
the blessings of pea<;e and a stable Government. 



IN MEMORY OF COLONEL PRATT. 



(Prom Ulster Historical Collections, page 251.) 

At the Annual Meeting of the Ulster Historical Society held Oc- 
tober 16, 1863, Mr. William Lounsbery, having been requested, from 
his acquaintance with Colonel Pratt's public life, seconded the reso- 
lutions. He advocated their adoption as follows : 

WmLIAil LOU^^SEERY'S HEiMARJvS. 
INIr. ri-esident:— The Ulstei" Historical iSooiety at this day of 
its assembling, oommemiorates the Iburniing of Kingston, and the 
.sufTeirings of our early settleirs in their finst stiniggle for inde- 
pendence. The resolutions which have -been proposed are equally 
suggestible of pati'lotic sacrifiee and istrike us with a closer sym- 
,pathy. They commemorate the loss of one of our founders, who 
has lately fallen in anothei- oontiest to preserve the libertiesi and 
Government handed doA\-n to usi toy the heroism of our anicestors. 
This Society would be unequal to its trust, if it passed by in si- 
lence a loss so vital to the eoimtry and itself. 

It isi With no ordinary feelings laat I have undertalven to re- 
spond to the resolutions, just offered, and tOi utter an a;pproiM-iate 
tribute to the worth, enterprise and heroism of our late Secretary, 
Colonel George W. Pratt. 

Govei-niment is the \mvk of mortal man. The social fabric is 
sustained and held together by the entciprise of individuals. And 
when a man of iutelligence and aotive virtues falls, either by the 
ordinaiy decay of aige, or, more suddenly, by violence and war, we 
feel the structure crumbling and see the beauties of the edifice de- 
faced. In the death of Colonel Pratt a column has fallen in tlie 
temple of libeaty. The decorations \fimh art and learning and 
14 



106 

emlization have xtdded to it, have been man-ed ami mutilated, and 
aj-e not to be quickly rei>aired. 

Some lives do not perform vciy vital functions in the eom- 
nuiniity. A retiring or selfish naitm'e works in quiet — ^ont of sight 
of associates, and does not miiig-le in such efforts as society puts 
forth for its adA'aneenient by the combination of multitudes. I 
do not say that such are useless, but their death is not so much felt. 
Their little circle of action revol'ves upon itself, and it® destruc- 
tion does not jositle and unhinge the public aspirations, or brealc 
up the social progi'ess. They are not missed from the world — 
their death is uot counted by so large a value. So many of such 
do not seem to die. The poet utters this convicttdon when he says : 

"The good die first, and those 
Whose heartS' are dry oiS' summer dust. 
Bum to the socket." 

Colonel Pratt was a man of active and busy enterprise. He 
had the ins]viration of a genius that works and accomplishes. He 
set to work and did not look back. He had the elements of a 
great man, which only failed to ripen into eminence by the aeci- 
dent of his early death. 

I recollect when tlie plan to form this Society was first re- 
volved in his miind. I think it oaiginated with him, though the 
materialsi for the work were not lacking, either as to the field 
of operations or the workers that were called oait. He saw that 
Ul&ter Oounty was a rich field for historical research, and he un- 
dertook to lead and stimulate the action of the people in that 
direction. 

I wias one who distrusted the project and expressed the fear 
that a Society, organized simply for plodding among dusty rec- 
ords, or tm'ninig up memorials of the past, could not be sustained 
by a practical and working people, however intelligent. Tliis was 
suggested to him when we were going in company to attend tlie 
meeting to organize this Society. He thought differently, and it is 
proved that he was right. The half dozen that assembled in the 
Dutch Church at New Paltz have gi'own into an organization that 
has made its mark upon the literary character of the age. How 
much of this as daie to the personal effortsi of Colonel Pratt, the 
members of the Society, here assembled, are the witnesses. He 
was ably seconded by men of a liigh order of intelligence and 



107 

spirdt, but the organizatioiii and direction of tbe enterpxisie were 
Ms, and its pre&ent prospeaity is a part of tbe glory tihiat clusters 
about his memory. 

The spirit with which this euterpriae was aceomiplished was 
only a type of his other efforts. The Ulster Coiuity Regiment 
was organized and equipped into a militaiy corps, and when the 
war broke out he marched at the head of his men by the side of 
the Regiments of New Yoa-'k City. It was his glory and the gloiy 
of his county, that he took to the field the only Regiment of 
the State ]Miilitia outside of New York and Brooklyn, and the one 
equipped under the eye of the State authorities at Albany. 

In the years 1858-9, Colonel Pratt represented Ulster County 
in the State Senate. At tliat time the State Libraiy was being 
removed from its old room, in the Capitol, to the new building 
erected in the rear for the purpose. The work of aiTauging the 
State collections was entrusted to a committee of the Senate, of 
which Colonel Pratt was the working head. 

I have lately bad occasion to admire hisi work in the arrange- 
ment of the invaluable archives there collected by our gi-eat State. 
It shows the master hand of a faithful and intelligent worker, 
and -will furnish, for ages, a cvirious. testimonial of his genius. 

After the return of the Ulster County Regiment from its t'hi-ee 
mionths campaign, I visited Colon.el Pratt at his new residence in 
Esopus. He pointed out to me his future plans in reference to 
beautifying the grounds of his new home. I took in the picture 
which his own fancy Avas painting for coming years. The happy 
family circle of his wife and children — the surroundings of fields 
and shaded walks — the landscape, with the beautiful river in 
front — ^his library, so full of the learning of \A-liich already he had 
imbibed so much — and wealth to furnish every rational comfort — 
Avere all his. 

In view of this picture, I asked, if it was his intention to take 
command of his regiment for the remtainder of the war. I felt 
then impressed with the extent of the calamity, if Ms life was 
sacrificed by such a resolution. I knew, too, that he was im- 
pressed with the fearful nature of the hazard. His wife ha^l 
plead, with tears of regret, all she dared urge against her 
coiuntry. His children and his plans of home and home comforts 
had been busy in dissuading him. And his reply was impressive 



108 

for its carnestt sadness. '"I shall go again," he said. He made 
the isacriflee — and oh, how grea.t! 

Wlio can repla.C'e this fallen coluniuiV "\Mio can repair the 
mutilated ornament or resbore to 'beaiutiy this slia.ttered ruin? 
\\lio can again fill the pl'aee in thiat wiclow's 'bliglited heart ? ^Vho 
can hoal an aged fajther's sorrow V Who' can take up the noble 
aspiratiout^ that were blossoming into biigiht fruition? 

Death hath .stricken us all. Country, society and fiienkls ha-ve 
Buffered a common calamity, anil ha\'e a oomraon sorrow. Tlie 
gvnive, so arbitrary in its deailiuig-s, hath taken him in the begin- 
ning of usefulness. His youth and virtue — too glorious for a 
common death, have given nim a saeriftoe to our constitution and 
liberties, and ins'iu'ed for his name an illustrious immortality. 



CARRIER'S ADDRESS. 



[Written for the Kingston Journal, January 1, 1863.] 



Ponc-khockie's crest of crusted snoAVj 
And Hudson's crystal breaslt Ibelow, 
Axe lit like gems with early ray 
Of nising Sun, on natal day 
Of the young yeiar, as Six^ty-two 
Melt's its existence in tlie Nieiw: 
The "Journail's" Caraier from ibis bed, 
Wibh tihoughts of profit in his iiead, 
To Patrons and to steadfaist friends 
His usual New Yeaa' greeting sends. 
Bright pleasure may its days unfoddj 
And 'happier prospeicts than the Old. 

G'ood bye, Old Year! thy blooming Sowing time day. 

Thy Summer sunshine and its houris of play, 

Thy sombre Autumn, and thy Winter blast, 

Have swept — how quickly! — in the shadowy past. 

Good bye. Old Year! grim-vasaged, cruel war, 

Has dogged t'liy footsteps, and with lasiting sear, 

Uaji'ved on thy lineaments in living light, 

Tlie urartyr'd liero in the cause of ligfht. 

Thy days are fraught with many anemorie'S dear, 

With many soiTowing liours — Old Y'ear! 

Oood bye! May brigMer days come 'iix)iund 

And change to peace this present warlike sound. 

Two years ago, laist month, the Soutli began 
In open strife tlie llame of War to fan; 



110 



Her leadiug men, by lust of power impelled, 

The miasses, victimized by fraud, soon fell 

Into the snare, until at last nine States 

Had launched their fortunes and their fates 

Upon the wave, and, like the other Nine 

Of Old, tlie deities or rage, did twine 

Their rieekis into the noose, that soon or late, 

:Must, by a righteous judgment, be their fa^te. 

The Old Dominion, poised long time in doulbt, 

-Beset by foes within and foes without, 

At last her honest men were brought to gi'ief, 

And vanquished by the tricks of Floyd— tlie thief! 

Th'en fell Virginia's ancient honored fame 

And with Secession stained dier cherislie'd name. 

Hepudiated defbts and yet vast tleibts to pay 

"\M11 mar her futiwe to the latest dayj 

Her Treason loving sons, with isuieidal hand, 

Have drench'd with fraiTieidal blood tbe land, 

Anxl strive to rend the Union and destroy 

The Oountiy, and that heritage of joy 

Her patriotic sires of old had pass'd 

Into t'lieir hands for keeping, to the last. 

Tire lovers of the Union wolce too late 
To see the thickening perils of the State; 
From village and from towu they poured, 
Tlie Legions of the North — ^a mighty horde! 
Among the first. Old Ulster's chosen sons, 
Eaoh gras/jjcd his s\\'ord — his armor do'Qs — 
Their ranks are foa-ro'd, none deems it hard. 
To leave the soil for other hands to guaa"d. 
Xone deems the sacrifice of home too great, 
To save from waste the archives of tlie State. 

We will niot trace the ehaiice vicissitude, 
Tlie Country's hour of triumiih and solicitude. 
We will not mar the opening yoaj". 
By giviaig vent to aught to cause a fea-r, 
We ho|)e, we feel the good dciivcraiii-c nigh, 



Ill 



The time wiliieli all -will Jvail witlioii'fc a sigli — 
TSie times of peaceful ihours restored; 
Till tben the tales of war we hoard. 
Then may some master mind relate 
Tlie annials of domestic strife and hate, 
The Treason of th^e South just ibudding fortli, 
The patriot ardor of tlie rising ISTortli, 
The oatitles won — ^the Union heroes slain — 
The living heroes added to the lists of fame. 
A worthy task for Homer's ancient lyre 
To wake the muse and stir the Eipic fire. 
Till then we'll hold but one iaea in view — 
The Union's honor'd ancient fabric to renew. 

We oannolt pass one man whose glorious name 
Already has gone doAvn to^ lasting fame; 
Brave Pratt! Thy memory small be ever gTeen, 
^^Hien deeds through history are truly S'Cen; 
Thy ardor in onr Country's sorest need — 
Thy step h&inic in the foremost rank to lead — 
Thy death so glorio'us in the Cause of Right- 
Will keep tlie links of memory ever bright. 

The men of Ulster, grateful for thy toil, 
Will raise a Column on their honored soil; 
Unh'eedinig there the storm and battle shook; 
Thy name engama^ed on high in granite rock, 
Shall witnes's to the world a fit reward 
To those who onoe composed the "Ulster Guard," 
Who at Manassias led the ^oattle van, 
And at South MoiTnitain bled, and Antietam. 



The Muse on a Xew Year is seldom so logy. 
Though this time eonsenting, to please the old fogy, 
And tak'e a sad view of the timies and the Country, 
Has become moa'e inclined to a view of tlie pantry. 
For as often our Genei^ate, contractors and what-nots, 



112 

Are drawn from their duty to taste of the flesh pots; 
.So the Muse in th'e midst of some serious thinking, 
Quite often stops short for tihe pleasure of drinldoig. 
A diversion so pleasant may break the connection — 
Give rhyme and the subject a difi'erent complexion. 

iWith such vast expenses of life and of money, 
It's not easy, we know, to be very funny; 
But fighting and hloodshied have happened before — 
They had war for the love of it often of yore. 
In that excellent book called "Homei-i Illias," 
The Greete levied war in a way tliat was curious^ — 
For many long years laid isiege to the Trojans, 
And with all kinds of tools anade work for th' surgeons. 
At last by a piece of most consummate strategy. 
They closed the ten a*ts of this piece of tragedy. 
By huilding a horse in such ample proi>oi'tions 
That it held forty men witli their armor and rations^; 
And this wooden animal with quite pious impressions, 
Old Pi-iam hiought in to atone for transgresisions. 
By this elever humbug — ^horse, foolt and dragoons — 
The Greek army rusJied in and reduced Troy to. ruins. 

Some Classic philosophers' down in the City, 
By way of improvement on this ancient ditty, 
Have made up a team of this kind — 'tis quite grand oh, 
And with two wooden horses nanned Ben and Fei-nando, 
Propose to drive into the heart oif Secession; 
And A\'ith Johny Van Buren's Speech in possession. 
Declare that the breadi in the Union is mended. 
And strife and tlie war and the 'bloodshed is ended. 
While this proposition our glory releases, 
'Twill make of the Union, instead of a peace, many pieces. 



In spite of war, the Kterling Rons of 'Sopus 
Jog on their way, nor heed the i)aisising mopus; 
The tiraets are here by no' means' "tiglit" or pressing, 



113 

If we oan judge by ladies' style of dressing — 

Their flowing skirts and ample spreading head-gear, 

Conclusive proof oi whait they think of Xew Year. 

Ora- Village Fathers, in their line of duty, 

Have much impaioived our streets anki added to their beauty, 

And flag-istone sidewalks now, where'er we travel, 

Are changed for the old-fashioned niud and gravel — 

A vast improvement, and no one can doubt it, 

The only wonder how we did withoiit it. 

We have here much our graititude provoking 

For all who are not 'born and bred for oroakino-. 

Our peaceful homeS' and quiet way of living, 

Were subjects of the Sermon on Thanksgiving. 

The business of tlie town goes on with profit — 
The calls for vohinteea'si are filled with credit, 
And our young men, who lately so much trembled. 
Now, '-'out of the draft," their foraier fears dissemibled. 
Can enter in the Xiew Year's joys and pleasures, 
And from their surplus pelf and treasures, 
j\Take your Newsboy ''0, be joyful," faster. 
By handing out the Corpoa\ate sealed Shinplaster. 
Then as you pasis to church or cheerful dinner 
He'll "HAPPY NEW YEAR" wish to saint and sinner. 

15 



MEETING OF THE BAR. 

IN RESPECT TO JUDGE HENRY BRODHEAD, Jb. 



[From the Kingston Argus.] 

Alt a meeting otf the Miemhens of the Bai of UMer County, 
field at the Court House in Kingsiton, Oct. 19th, 18G8, to give ex- 
pression to their feelings on the death of Judge Brodhead, on mo- 
tion of William S. Kenyou, M. iSohoonmaker was elected Chairman 
and R. Bernard Secretary of the meeting. 

In seconding the resolutions', Mr. Lounsibery made the following 
remarks : 

Mr. Chairman — In rising to nioive the adoiption of the resolu- 
tions just read, although I cannot claim a place amoingst his inti- 
mate personal associates, I may he permitted to speak among my 
brethren of the bar of Ulster County of my professional associa- 
tion with the deceased. Born in Ulster County and here achieving 
his business and professional reputation and success, he had be- 
come known to us all, and no one can fail to contribute from ex- 
perience soane testimony of his life of probity and i'irtue. 

Henry Brodhead, Jr., was born in 1817, near Ellenville, in the 
town, of Wawarsing. He descended from an old and honorable 
family in this county. His father, John Brodhead, was a farmer 
and prominent citizen in that section, higlily respected as a 
Ohi-istian gentleman. In 1840 the deceased graduated at Rutgers 
College and shortly after commenced the study of law with 
Sickles and Pitcher in Kingston. He was admitted to practice 
in 1844 and opened an office in the village of Ellenville, 
where he continued to practice until the fall of 1851, when lie 
was elected Surrogate of the County of Ulstei" and removed to 
Kingston. He held the office of Surrogate four years. It was in 



115 

this position he first commended himself to fhe people of the 
county, cand achieved his first step in the path of professional suc- 
cess. The simplicity of his character, his^ reticence as to his own 
evictions, his fidelity to others' aftairs entrusted to him, and his 
un«v<'.erving fairness and integrity were soon recognized and ap- 
preciat.ed. On retiring from the office of Surrogate he carried 
vvith him to his new office in Wall street nearly the entire busi- 
ness in SuiTogate's Courts, and took a hold upon the settlement of 
the estates of deceased pei-sons that has made his name familiar 
in very many families in the county; and at the tim^e of his de- 
cease he had so many estates in his charge as to make his loss 
very seriously felt. 

In 1859 the deceased was elected Ooumty Judge of this county, 
in which office he served four years. His mind was peculiarly 
judicial. With none of the fervor of partisanship, with prejudice 
eradicated hy education and familiarity with life as it presents it- 
self to the eye of the judge, his decisions were, in the boroad sense 
of that tei-m, made upon the merits. , 

In 1862, upon the retirement of Jacob BuAans from the Presi- 
dency of the State of New York Bank, Henry Brodhead, Jr., was 
elected to fill his place, a position held by him to the time of 
his death. 

I have thus briefly reviewed the business and professional career 
of the deceased. Few can be pointed oiit more completely suc- 
cessful. That elevated ground in life to be obtained by honesty, 
fidelity and learning had been readied. Amongst his associates 
he was a man of wealth, position and influenee, gotten by honesty 
and without exciting envy or regret. A continuance of his life 
was desirable to himself— it was the wish of all, for enemies he 
had none. It is a sad duty, I now perfonm, to contemplate the 
work of death in thus taking a man just in his prime and from 
the midst of his usefulness— just as the world is making the larg- 
est use of the man and of his capacities for the human life. 

It is not an easy task for me to speak of the social life of the 
deceased. Domestic comforts commend themselves to our profes- 
sion. From the strife of the forum and the contentions of men, 
of wliich we see so much, the comforts of home are the great 
relief. To the deceased there was no such palliation. Unmarried 
and apart from intimate associates, he led a pure, simple and 



116 

frugal existence, taking no outside coiinselsi of his own heart and 
imparting Jione of his own cares and anxieties. 

Feeble in health, no- one h^eaixi of his oomplainingS', and though 
free in his charities to otheirs, he sought no symipathies to him- 
self. Like the Apostle to the GentileS', his jwofession had purified, 
sensual inistinct and lifted his wlwle being to an intellectual plane, 
Mhere the gTatification of sense and art and the sumptuary taste 
were crowded from his a>pi>i'eciation. 

It has been thought by some that 'eloquenoe was not a part 
of the characteristics of the mental st'iTocture of the deceased. I 
have had occasion to foiuu a different opinion. 

In 1853 the deceased was invited to deliver the 4th of July 
oration to the citizens of Stone Eidg© and its vicinity at the 
Dutch Oiuirch in that village. I remember well tbe effiect of his 
eloquence upon that occasion, upon the large audience in attend- 
ance. The plan of our igovernment was gTaiphically analyzed. 
Tdie revolutionary struggle, out of which- it arose, was eloquently 
described. lie shoA^ed the perfection of our constitution as a 
device of human exi>erience and foresight. And. the obligations 
of the people for the imaintenance of out governiment w-ei'e never 
more effectively enjoined. For a long time the impressionis of 
his elo^iuence remained and were sipoken of by individuals present. 

At the trial of causes, thougli his experience was not large, yet 
we have all witnessed efforts that showed mnch capacity as a 
forcible speaker. In the prepan-ation of a cause he was thorough, 
and never was satisfied until the subject was fathomed to the 
bottom, — caution and accuracy were thus the characteristics of 
his iprofessional reputation, and a plain and direct statement of 
facts and of established principles of law constituted his chief 
power as an orator; and with his impressive sincerity of manner 
he always excited respect and attention. 

-Much as he had adorned this life — much as there seemed in it 
hard as yet to leave — nothing in his life ever became him more 
than his leaving it. ^^^ith perfect clearness' lie- dictated the dis- 
position of his property, and with a calm trust in tiie future he 
closed .his eyes on earth and sense. In a remarkable degree lie 
fulfilled the i>reeept of the poet: 

"So 'live that when thy summons comes to join 
The innumeraible caravan that moves 



117 

To tilie pale realms of shade, where each shall take 
His chamber in the silent halls of Ueath, 
Thou g;o, not like the quarry slave at night, 
Scourged to his dungeon, ^but sustained and sootihed, 
By an unfaltering trust approach thy grave, 
Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch 
About liim ami lies down to pleasant <lreams.- 



NEW YEAR'S ADDRESS. 



WiiUen foi' the Kingston Press, ISOG. 

Ill reading Poem or Kom-aaic«, 

A\'itli autiier's idea, Ave aKlrance, 

Arnid Famcy paiate before ooi- eyes 

Each seeu'e to startile ainid sou'paiis'e. 

The i>alate, too, wi'll play its paait, 

And t-ake impreisisiioaiis like tihie heart. 

In Svott, Ave see h'is scenes ol 'wai', 

Aiul drink lionie-'breweid land usquebaugihj 

And' Me are all at sea, though alt 

The gias -light, reading Marryatt. ; 

In books of travel so we find. 

That we, too, travel in the mind; 

Engaging in this fond pursuit, 

"We see and ta^site, mid flower aed fruit. 

The poor a^ well a.s rich receive 

The joy« imagination gives; 

And our young ladies often think 

Tliat novels do for meat and di'ink. 

AMuit nouiseoise your Avriting, the school-boy will say, 
You tsurely confound the ischool-time with play; 
AVlhut jideasure or gooil, can 'book-learning instill, 
That's equal at all to our i-iding down hill? 

'Tis nonseaiise, pure nonsen'se, the Doctor too kintowB, 
Xo muscle or fibre fiv>m Xovel e'er grows; 
For of the joung ladies, whlatev-er you talk. 
They always Avill eat ovf slate ipeiicile and diialk. 



119 

'Tifl t'lie wonst kdnid af nonsense to Kai-taieim a.nicl sttoh, 
'Wh!o iknow tha-t the Fancy is meanib for tih« Glwirdli, 
And tlie boy tha>t reads mii<^<h is spoiled for the pl'o.vv, 
Is banished tlie 'hoiispJhokl, which no sloth ca-n aillow. 

Whiat drink, says th^e Criti<^, can evei- eompare, 
lAVlhen ithiiTsiy in iSummor, vsith our owmi Lager Bier? 
And ill luck to old dotaUd, who w-.TOtie about sihiips, 
E'er '•'Turrefced IMomslters" 'has paaseid fi-om our lips. 

And speaking of travel, 'tis the fajs'liiom we knoiw, 
For aill with the means, om eadi Sivmnier to go, 
On 'Mounitaiii or .Sea-sihore. t'n recrpia.te healthi, 
Or to sipemd in gay show their supei-fluous wealth. 

One day in 'the year, t'o the Xews-boy is given,, 
To find upon ea^rth some fordtaste of ihteaven, 
And he, a fair country, proposes to view. 
And make it hiis subject in wi-ittdng to you. 

Turkey. 

Since Byron Iiaifi written his travels in "Greece," 
Roa.st Turkey we alJwiayfe prefer to i-oasit geese;, 
And oyster's fbr situflfing wiill flaivor the whole 
To an epicure's taste, antl fill the 'whole soul. 

In oar.vSug a tui'key, muicli skilli is required. 

Besides, a s^ha-rp- knife, to 'keep you inspired, 

To do it right well, if you Would he able, 

Yoii must study Lord Chesterfield's book, "At the Table." 

In helping around, try to givei each hisi ohJoic^e, 
Of white or dark meat, as he gives in his voice; 
To deny amy choiee is the merest pretense, 
Deserving the joart that goes las-t o'er thie fence. 

In eating roast Turkey, each ta.st« has its laws, 
But most wHl prefer it, With Cra/nbeny sauce; 



130 

And noin« wall ireful, what iso proper wouild seem, 
The mealy potato, mtisilied up dn slweet creaan. 

Of ipaisitries It'hierie's nione to. tibe taisite or tdie eye. 
That ^qiua'ls, with Turkey, our own puliiipkliii pie. 
To wind up the feast •witlhout w'ine in our eups-, 
We'll drink you a ttoast, in hard cider and nuts. 

A health to Sile Saxtopi, 'Our Sheriff elect, 
"\^%os'e new tierm otf offiee, to-day takes effeldt. 
The first otf his party, tlhat ever did fail, 
^^lien nvnninig for office, to keep out of the Jail. 

And here's t'o Lefever, our new County Olea-k, 
Who alwayis flor friend is quite ready tO' '^^'lork; 
To Tvin his election, why notlhing ■wais ni&a'ter. 
To save EVIjr. Fo'landi, required sailt "Peter." 

One toiasit tO' oiur Patrons', tine friewls of the "Press," 
We hope 'tihla/t ttiheir 'sfliiadoiws may inevier grow less, 
Let's stlamd hy tbe parity, thirougih thick amid thii-ough thin. 
And satisfy coniseienee by deseming tk> win. 

And noiw, my yoiung lady, s'imce ^we are alone, 
iWe'll wish our best wish, and break the "wiish-iboinie." 
[May visions of lia^ppinjess dance in your play. 
And fill the -whole year, thaft cofmm'eWees today. 

We thusi our New Year dinner spread, 
Hamd in the chaoigie, "Ona Quarter" n head. 



THE FOURTH IN ANDES. 



(From; the Kingiston .Journal, July 29, 1870.) 

MR. LOUNSBERY'S ORATION. 

'Mr. PresMent — ^Lii<ii«si an'd Gentilemicni: Some' four t^entairies 
ago Coikmiibius wasi .sieardidng to t:he then inysterioais^ \ves.tCTn. 
waterS^ fbr a silnortier route to the weialith df tihe Indies. From 
Augusit 2ind to Octbber 12it.h, witli t'lw'ee smaill vesselsr a^nd a dlis- 
■eomitentied lerew of ninety iiuien, li.e had saiileid on tdie unknoiwn 
'seais. He Avas diwem by currents' of itibe ocetan unloniown to the 
niaA-iy)ators of 'hits. day.. iXo idharc marked' out tli.e ooaisit whldh 
inspiiration had pik-tured tb Ji'is mdnd.. -The mtiignatiic needle, wihich, 
Iliad guided We na.vigator iu exiploried watei-s, startled- ihinii by nto 
Itonger painting to the Xiortli Star. In tilie diirknesis of the night ; 
•in a storm; when hope wa'S dying dm. hisi breast; wheni followera 
.had turned againsit ihdm as a leader to' destrufctdoni, there burst 
STi'ddenly iiponi his vision' the Idght of a new continent — a continent 
destined to siied the liigHit lof a mone exa.lted civilization! upon the 
entire world. 

A great conquest was th^us aceonip'lisih'ed by appai-entHy inad- 
equate meaniS'. I't oi[>ened a new field for ne(w t'hionght a.nd opinion 
and the deveilopment of e'lnpite' on a. iww political l>asd<S'. I ehall 
not sit^op to trace thdiS deivelainment, b'ut shaDl be content to note 
li'ere the elenrenits of ipi'ogress — ^^tihe ditetlnct feiatures of American 
civilization wliieli are co'mm'emiorated'ibyi tliie' cereimonies of tliis 
dlay. 

Equality '0)f aiU men by birtih was the aissert'ed dogma of Amer- 
i'ean Injdependence. This does not miean that men are born with 
eq^ial endiownienit's, or that they, could all come into tihe ;AV'orld 
umd'er the same circumstances, or that they ooiuM acquire equal 

16 



122 

exoellence. It Vfa&> intended simply to dllsipuite itilve di/vine rigbtis 
of kings — to strip 3i©redatiary poiwer fnoim the siwiaddled ba^ntling 
of royialty, and (resolve batik to the people the Ciod-givem power of 
self-government. 

Who are these moniarchs .' 'AA^ienioe tMsi oeaseiess flood _ 
Of colored waiter knovvm as royal blood? 
'Blooklieads or iSlolloimionsi, it nuaitteiris nolt, 
They must be king'^S', because by king\s begot. 

On the 4t)h of July, 1776, society opgamizetl ats-elf in this coun- 
try upon the doctnine itihat the pe^opLe were the sovereign power; 
thait the oflfi'ce-hlolder, boiwever high his place, became onlly the 
lagenit, represeaitative or servant of th'e people from wihom is de- 
rived all power. The natural tendenicy of all huraam potwer is 
to'ward tyranny awl oppression. Any man plaiced alt the head of 
the gavernmeiut without responsii'bility and wiithout aiccountability, 
will soon, by the natural foaice of huiuan nature, become a despot. 
It is the gi-eat exiedMemce olf our governimient that this cannot hap- 
pen ; the offiieeo-is are ehiosen 'by the pe'oii>le, awd must, a-flter a brief 
period, ret'Urta tio th^em again for an ai^proA^al or disapproval oif 
their condulot. Tyiiamny, if it happen, will be l>rief. The more 
severe the oi>pre3sion be felt, the quicktir it will meet 5ts remedy. 
In a mionarchy it has often hiappened that thie poeple have risen 
on their oppressor, anid hurled ihdmi, ini thelir wrath, from his 
tbroine. In all su'Ch reiTOliitions fiellids are devasted, and' many 
severe distresisies must be felt from the very remedy itsedlf . In our 
foCTn of governmenit a revolution- as effeietuaililyi happen.s every 
year wiithouit caaising the auass of society one pang, and .without 
bi-eakinig in upon the peace of the coimmiunity. 

In the ninety -fooir yeans' siioee we ennerged from our Oolonial 
tutelage, a great people have grown up on cne prinidiples expressed 
in tihe Declaration of Independence whiiieh has been read in yiolir 
hearing. I addiiess today a portion of a .grealt empire — wasihed 
by two oceans — occupyintg the entire ibellt oif the Oomtinent be- 
iween 'the extreme of Iheajt and cdd, an)d comsitiitutinig an empire 
otf more power and extent tha/t amy other mat ion on the habitable 
globe. In variety of soil, in mineral .welailth, in progresisiive energy, 
it ia wot exaggeration to say thait tlliiis niation amOnig the other 
nations of the earth is facile imnceps. Tlnalt Avealth of India, 



123 

whiieli ted Columbus in iMsi journey wesit liia-S' been reaohieid fo-r 
us, and has ooiiuneuced tO' pour itseM into our uia,tiona.l life. An 
ooetvn 'tielegraph, €anneotiJi)g us wiitih Europe; the Pa<?ific raikoiad, 
reoentJ-y oomiiiileted, -and a line 'oif Am-ei-itun siteams'liips' connecting 
California witii China, hiave put initio our banids the keys' of com- 
munication and a comtroU of ibrade coiveriing over one-half the 
ear'th-'s circuit. 

In our short hisitory of le,s:s than a ceHitury we have ripened 
into a iijowerf.ul and matured people; matured in politics, educa- 
tion and art; matured in wealth, trade and reitinenuent. We have 
not iMSised thro.ugh thiis portion of our history without dtmger; 
we have not readied our present gneatness without a straggle— 
a memorable istiruggk within the recoil ectfioii of all who hear me; 
a struggle brought to memory by fresh graves in dhurleh yard and 
oeaneteiy; by the graves of our slain on a humdred battle-fields-, 
from the opening of a oairniMal of blood at Bull Run to its close 
at Appomiattox Court Howse. The dread discord of seidtions has' 
been healed by a plenibeous baptism, in Mood. iWe are reminded 
of it by a national debt of $2,500,000,000; Ave are reminded of it 
by the emancipation of the slave, mid. by an amendment of the 
Constitution, admiltting all black persons- to equal suffrage with 
the whites-. - • i ' ! ; " ■ ■■: "l 

llrelse dhanges come red hot from the late, ooillision of parties 
and today iform iexciiting questions of party ddbaite. It is mot my 
■purpose, nor w:ould it become this oicloaision, to speak of these 
questions in a party sense. We meet here today not as partisians, 
but ail as friends of the coaintry, and unite in the old Avatchwoni: 
"<My Country right-— ]My Country i-light or wrong." Of the Fif- 
teenth Amiendment, I miay be permitted to say for myself that, 
w'hilst it was a mooted question, I was opposed from policy to 
admitting the black race in this, country to an ec^uality with the 
Angfto-'Saxoii race. Now that it has become an acicompiMshed fact, 
I believe in a dieerfuH aoquiesoenee in the resuillt. I halve seen no 
bettier proof that the blacks wtere entitled to vote than that they 
seem to have appreciated their new born rigMis- by ta nearly uni- 
versal oelehration of their triumph. In this they ba^e my sym- 
pathy. 'They would have been more or less than men if they had 
ntot -sihoiwn their consciousnesis of the great power placed in thelir 
hands by the ballWt amd the new status to whidi they are liftied 



134 

as a |)|oation of tHie niaition. If wioaieii, now asi[jiiing for 'the 
sanue privilege, sballl by t'lieir o-wn iww'er, or by ciny help, be haibil- 
itated .with the balJot, 1 slliall greet their afe'Iilevement witli niueh 
greaiter pleasure. IWe will' deck the national crown wi'th two new 
fragra'iwt flowiers, "The 'NigJit-blooinung C'erens" and "Love ainoaig 
the Ilo*es." 

Tiiuiid people lia've been uiuich alajuied at the yigantJe propor- 
tions of the iiia.tionial dettt; I haive for myself no' sudr ahimi. 
Let 'Uie cite froni Engiliish liistory the desson afliorded by a people 
B'imi'Iar in origin and d)ark<?ter to our u'w n. Ibiiit asi we claian, and 
truly 'Claii'ni, a coun'try and people in many i-««pe<?ts iniferjor to 
our own in energy and greatiness. iBngla.niLl hias drntng two cen- 
tim'ies ax*cuni.u]ate<^l a debt tha't has iDeconiie the great'est prodigy 
tliat e\ier peai)lexed tliie saigaieity and c'onlfoundfed tire pride of 
ata'tes'iuen and philosophers. 'At every stage in the growth of 
'tlhat deibt it has- 'been seifciis'ly a-sfeerfieid by wise men tlialt >ba.uk- 
rupt«y .and iruin were 'iilt luamd. Yet isitill tlie debt W'Cnt oni griow- 
ing and still btinkraiptcy and ruin were as rouio'te as' ever. AA'hen 
the 'gi''emit contest witli' Louis 'the XIV was tiiuiMy te'ruiinated by 
the Peace of Utrecht, the English naltion owed ahout fifty mil- 
lions; and that was considereld, not 'merel}- bj- thie rude niul- 
ti'fcude, not 'merely by fox-hunting 'squireSi and cofiee -house ora- 
tors, but b}^ a'cut'e and profound thinkers, ais an emcunibrante 
■wli'ieh svould permanently cripple the boil^- politic. Xeverth-eless, 
trade liourisihed; wealth increaseil; the nation bieeaime richer aiul 
rioher. Tl^eii oame the 'war of the Ausltrian succession, and tlie 
debt rose 'to eighty millions. I'ainivliileteers, histoni'ans' and ora- 
tors pronovinced' tluvt n'ow, at aill evenlts, tlveir case was tlcsperate. 
Yet th'e siigns of increasing jHxvsperity, signs iwhich could be 
ni«*ither iiounlteiifei'te'd or 'simulated, ouglut to ha-ve satisfied ohser- 
vant and a'eflecting m'eii that a debt of eig'hty iiniilllion A\as less to 
Engliaiid, 'whieh was govea-ned by Pelham, than a dehit of fifty mil- 
lions hakl been to Jvngland which "wa/S' goiverned hy Oxford. 8oon 
Avar aigain hroke fortli; and imder the en'ergetic and pr^odii^^al nd- 
ministra'tion of the lirs't \Vi!l]ia'm Pitt the debit rapidl}- swelled to 
one hundred ami foity millions. 

As isoion tt'S the first intoxilcation of viftor_y w'as over, men of 
t'heory and men of bus.in'ess almost unaniimou.sil'y pronounced that 
the fatal day had now larrivod, rPliie only situltesman, indeed, active 



125 

or igpeieu'laltire, whto did noit sluare lin tihe 'busineiss ileluisi'om, was Ed- 
mund Biii-'ke. David Hume, undoubtedly o.ue o'f tlie moist pro- 
foundi eeoiiiouiisits oif Ini.-* time, dei-Laied that the niatiouiad nvadu^ss 
liud exjL-eeided .the maxLues* of the Oruteaders. Eiehai-d Coeur de Liou 
and 'St. Lo'ui'S 'had iiot. gone in the' fa*^e df ariltlh.metieai demonisitra- 
tion. it was' impossiible to prove by figiures< that the road to 
Paradise dlid not lie through the Holy ILaud, but it was possible 
to prove by fi'gm-es t'halt the road tb. nationiril ruin wais tlwouigih 
the national debt. It was idle, ho^we'ver, to talk notw alboiit the 
roiad; all tlie revenues' oif tlie islawl north of Ti-eint and west 
of Reading were mort^g'aged; beltter for us, he said, to have been 
conquered by Prussiia. or Austria than tbi be siaddled wiltb the 
iintiereisit of one Ivundred and forty ariilions. Aaild yelt this great 
philosopher, foi- smcli he iwas, had only to open his eyesi and see 
improvement all around him; cities! inicreasi.ng, cultivattfon ex- 
tendduig nwirts too siiraill flor the ci-owd df ibuyersi atid sellers, luir- 
bom imsufflclentt to eionitain the .sihipping; artiti&il rivers pining 
the diief inland seat di industry to the tihief seaijxjrts, streets 
better li'g;litcd, houses/ better furnisbed, rSeher wia.res exposed for 
sale in stiatelder sbops, slwifter carriages rolling along smootber 
roads. He bad imdeed, only to compare tIhe Edimburgb of ins 
boybood witli the Edinburgib of his old age. His predictions re- 
miaim to futiuiity, a memorable witness' of the weakness from 
\\hicl) the strongosit minds are not exempt. Adam Smi'tb saiw a 
l-ittle, and but a little, farther. iHe adniit'ted that innnense as 
the burden was, tine nation did aictualiy sustaiini lit and thrived 
under it in a way \\-liieli nobody eouild haive foreltlold. But he 
warneil his ciHintrymeii not to repeat so hazardous mv expeiliine'ut. 
Tlie limit liad been readied; even a snialil increase might be f-altal. 
Not lesis gloomy were the views whiidh (leoi^ge (^renviille;, a min- 
ister emfinenitrly diligent and practical, took oif the fi'ma'Ucial situa- 
tion. The nation must, he con;ce'i\-ed, sink under a deibt of one 
hundred ankl foiUy inflliansi, unless a portion lof the laivtl was born 
by the Abieriean LxJlonies. The attempt to lay a iwrbion of the 
load on tine American polouies' produce tl a mot her wur; the war left 
them with an additional hundred millions of debt and without 
the 'Colonies whose help had been represented as' iiwWs'ivensable. 
Again EngPand was given over; amd agiain! the strange patietit 
persiisted in becominlg strionger a nil nvore blooming in spite Oif all 



126 

fche diiajginostiios ainid prognos-tios of State phyisk-iains. As she had 
been visQibly mwe jJi'osip&i'O'Us wiltli a debt ai one hundi'ied and 
forty mdWd'on® it'han a, deibt of fifty ni Ml ions, so she was visibly 
more pi-osiperoiis with, a debt of tlwo ihundred a.nd forty millioiis 
tihian Avdith a debt of one hundred -and forty millions. Soon, hoiW- 
over, the WiVVS' thait sprang from the French re\x>lution, ami which 
fiaa- exlceeded in cost any tdiait the 'w'oTld had over seen, taxed tihe 
powers of pu'bl'ic credit tio Sts utmost. i\V'hen the world was 
again dt rest the funded debt of England a^niounlted to eight hun- 
da-ed luiUlions. If the most enlightened man had been told in 1792 
that in 1815 the interest on eight Jiundred mililions would be duly 
paid to tlie day, at the bank, he would h^ave been as' :hard of be- 
lief as ii he had been toM the gtovemiment would be in posisessaon 
of the lamp of Aladdfin or tbe jyunse oif Fortuniatus. It was in 
truth a gigantic, a fabulous debt ; amd WiC fan hardly wonder that 
the icry of despair sliouid have been louder than ever. iBut again 
the cry was found to ha.ve been as unreasionable as ever. After 
a few years of exliaustioin, Engiland recovered herselif; yet, like 
Addison''s vailetudinarian, who oontinued to wihiniper tfeat he was 
dying of consumption till he became so fat that he was shamed 
into isiilence, slie went on coniplaiining that she was sunk in pov- 
erty till her wealth slhowed itself by toikems wliicli made her com- 
plaints ridiculous. Thie beg'gared, the biiinkrupt society, not only 
prove(d able to m^eet all Its obligations., ibut while meeting these db- 
ligations, grew nicher and richer so fast thalt gro'wtli could al- 
moslt ibe discerned by the eye. In every icounty one saw 
wastes re'cently turned into gardens'; in every city saw new 
sbreetB and markets; iu he sulburbs of every great seat of indus- 
try new villas mulitiplyimig fast, eaich einlbosomed in tlhe gay little 
paradise of lilacs' and roses. Wiliile shailtow politidiaras were re- 
poating that the energies of the people were borne doiwu by the 
weig'ht of the public burdens, the first journey wtVi performed 
by steam on a railway. ISoon tlhe island wais i'nterseaLed by rail- 
ways. A sum exiceeding the w^hole aniounit 'Of tlhe national debt 
at tlhe end of the America war -was. in a f^ew yearsi \ioluintaTily 
expended by tlrts rulined peoide in viaducts, t'unnels, embankments, 
bridges, istations, engines. Meaniune taxation was almo*st con- 
stantly becoming lagthter; yet still tbe Exclicquer was full. Hi, 
may now be aliii'imed, witbout fear of cootradiction, that tliey find 



127 

iilt as 'easy ito pay tli^e interest of eigililt Hiimdired miliLions- asi theiir 
a-noestors .found it a eenitnry agiO' to pay the iii'terest of eighty 
millliionis. . 

The Hesison ■wihich Hisitory g-i.v.es of the priogireste. cf the Eng- 
■Ksih 'deibt, and' of ithe ability of that countTy »to. 'bear ea«:^h increase 
of the iburden by an inereaisie of Tesoure'e, apiproprialtely descrilbes 
oinr own sitivatlion. W"e, too, on the heel of the creation of a 
oiio'antie national debt, have been liargely investing in imiprove- 
ments; we have built and are now building raiHroads at great 
expense. The pi-ogn'essiive .enell^gi'es of the people have not ap- 
iparentily been erii>pled, but have been stiminlated. Our people, 
not only as individaiaHs but as nuinic'ipalities, liave laitely created 
debts for ralilroad enterpriisies, intended ami nO' doubt calculated, 
to benefit the country and to -increase its capacity to sustain a 

public debt. 

The Gowrnor of the State has lately refused to sanction a 
'State tax to improve thi:s locality. Be cam ju'stify Ms conduct 
very much by th© fact that uniwortliy projects were oo'iiipled with 
ours and that he was not called upon to disieriminate ■\\-ihen the 
Legislature did not, but tihougli I greatly admire the man and' Ms 
indepiendcnce and firmneiss, as eh'ief magistrate of the State, I 
should have gladfly •seen Mm a^M-ove of lalws giving State ai'd to. 
certain railroads which are about, to- open a large territory to a 
bett^or communication wiltb the world; bring the produce nearer to 
nrarkeit, and give additional comfort and prosperity to its peaple. 
It was within the scope of his officiali duty to have disoriminated 
in ,favor of deserving enterprises and yet protect the State by 
•withholding hisi sanction from the undeserving. This community 
'has borne itisi share of taxation for the Erie cvinal, tihe Erie rail- 
road, the iSuBquehanna railroad and kindred projedt's of improve- 
ment. ^^Hien our time came to be served by the St-ate, any harsh 
rule which stops to us entirely the aiding Ivand of the State 
will operate ais' a great injustice— an injustiiee for wiliieh the situa- 
tion of -our eounftry as to it-si p-ubffile debt does not afford a sufficient 
ai>Oilogy. iBult -the Governor's veto will! not stbp ovu- enterprises; 
will not check the onward growth- of the country. It mav de- 
lay the consuniimation o^f omr hopes-, but it wil not prevenit Dela- 
ware county from having an outlet acros's iPiive Hill— if not 
throu'gjh the hilJ, at Jeast over it. 



128 

'Mr. President: On Satfiirdiay for tili^e first time in my liife I 
crosised fcM® great ntitiirail barrier tb wliiiicili I have alluded, and 
lieuetrat'eid into tli'e rich body of farm Inad of tilnis toiwn of An- 
des, I was mot ipreip^ired for t'be evidenc-e of wt'iiiltHi and eom- 
foilt which met my ■eye. You have dome niiudh here to develoip, 
witihioait the aid of the outsi'de ^vorld, the inherataniee you Ivave 
reieeived'. ilJut iimch more iri yet to be done. lYoai must boldly 
grasp the situation and build a raihoad, so as to reaeh the cen- 
ters of trade and \r\nve yoiurseVf dn oloser communiiealbion with 
tlhe outsiide world. Thriiving villages, wall gi-jolw up along the line 
of th« railroad, through tllvis isection, and new enterprises, new 
faces, new houses and ne'w larid w'ill greet our eyes in no distant 
futiu-e. 

We haive no ityraut tO' repressi amiibitiiioar; no ai'isltoeraeij' tb 
make labor odious. If true to our oiwii liberties; if true to the 
legacy left u.s by our levolutionary amoestors; if true to the 
sipirit of liberty engrafted in the Cbmstitutibn, tine future of our 
country will outstrip the most brilliant picture of fancy. 

It is the glory of our country to fairnish an asylum for the 
oppressed of all notions. We are, in fact. tVliildren of peitsieeutron. 
We have descended from the Hiiguenot refugees, from the religious 
persecuted sects of England and iSeotland; from fugiti^'es from 
the conscriptions of France, and from the expatriated Irishry. 
Can a people tlius deislcended ever shut their doors- to: the emigrant 
Sleeking a ne'w liome in' a free land? Let tfliem come from the fertile 
fields of France and riermany and from the over-croiwded popula- 
tion of Ireland, and we will welcome all, and give tftieim' room to 
help clear off our forests, tiunnel ou'r mountains, cultivate our 
praiiriesi, and cast jni Itheir lot iwith a free people. 

Mr iPresiident: The C'liiniCse nation lilas many things to ex- 
cite our admiration. In their opiniion China isi the OelestSal 
Ivingdoni. Tiu'v have a reli'gion older than ChrilsitianSty', and 
loligious dotrines older tllian Caiviniism. rPhey have pigments that 
are ibiliight as the prismiatic coilors, and pigtails tliat aro the ad- 
mired 0!f all Oiinese admirers. It is their fault of exclusion that 
has Jcetpt them from getting the higher liiillit of civilization. 
They haive excluded misisionaries of religion and the ship bringimg 
them the works of a.it and manufaictures from otlier nations. 
There is something of tllie Chinese element in this country. Our 



139 

hHhl tiariff is the erealture of tTie Chinese daotrines of the party 
in power in Oonigress. The cry agiairusifc tthe Cliineisie siho-emakers 
late^ly bmuighit to Nioiibh Adamis is fix>m tihe Chinese eleme'at in 
Massadhnsetis. But aill ftlliis is eoinitraiy to fhe genioisi of Amierican 
insfcitiiltions. A free disibribution of men and mean's; free com- 
meree a,nd a free diffusion of education and intelligeniee— tiiis' is 
what we mean as a nation, and what tihe people have and will 
always t'eacHi t'o the administratibn of the country. 

"Is not this land a preisage of the dalwn; 

Of freedom o'ei- the world? It is free, 

From end to end., from cliff to Wke, 'tis free! 

Free a.s our torrents are that leap our rockis, 

And ptow our valleys * * * i ic^r© 

Its very storms. * ♦ * * 

Ye know yion jutting cliif, round which a track 

Up hither windsi; Tvliose hase is hut the broiwl 

To such anolther one, with scanty roomi 

For two abreast to pa^s. O'ertaken there ■' 

By the mounitaim blast, I've laid me flat along; 

And while gust followed gust more luriously, 

As if to sweep me o'er the horri'd brink; 

And I halve thbughit of olther lands' whose storimsi 

Are summer flaws to those of mine, and just 

Have wisheid me there— ^the thought that mine was f-Eee 

iHas cheeked that wish, anld I harve raised my head 

And cried in thraldom to that furious- wind'. 

Blow on ! This is the land of Liberty." 

17 



THE OLD PINE TREE. 

BY WI'IJLIAi:\I LOFNlSBEiRY, 



(From the Mountain Guide, July, 1874.) 

Tbe eai-ily settler cut and oleared 

Busli, trunk and lioii'b alway; 
tB«ifoir© IhiiiS' ax* tiie tall tree fell, 

In sown field oif to-day. 
One solitary trunk he .gipared, 

A .sheUered spot to^ be, 
/\^%ere fiot-ks might g'ather f i-tom the sun, 

iBeneath the old pine tree. 

lAjmionig its "bram-hes ever greien 

(The doi\'e, with tired winig, 
Ha« rested in its oniward flight — 

The 'b'nnet stopped to sing: 
'And meditating in its shiade, 

The maiden, f'ancy free. 
Has often sat in evening hour. 

Beneath' that olid jwne tree. 

iFull many tales' of early Iwe 

Tbld intb liappy ear. 
And isiighinlg soiund from broken heartis, 

The pasising wind doitlh hear; 
(Suoh varied scenes olf human life 

Are all told o'er to me, 
iVVhen listening in fthe quiet morn 

Beneath the old pine tree. 



131 

At mo'rii, amd nooQ, and elveiiitide, 

Ite spneiadinig Ijranoli'es. f oiiml 
'A cover f romi tlie wilitiing sun, 

A 'sbeliter fram tfoe sitorm. 
And spkitsi fiiam tlie misty ipas't, 

On eajitli'ly mitt'isltry. 
Unseen, t-rcad' round the iweill \v1ooti sod 

Bieueaitti the old ,pine tree. 



WINNESOOK, THE BIG INDIAN. 

BY 'WHJJMOI LOUNSBBRiY. 



(From tire Moiintiain Guide, July, 187-i.) 

"Tihe trail 'musit SKmn lead over the Ml, Capta.ini." 
Tliie; remark was mad'e by Walt "Bogart to Gaptiaiu Beiuion, 
tihe leader ol tihe party. 

"Most peqp'le would ibe deceived in (tlie siame Way, I tJiink," 
said the Oaiptain, "but I a.m satislied we foldow the streiaiu for a 
long distance yet, befiore the tilail 'aisioends the siide of the mloun- 
taiu'. Pi-om tilie acdounlt Jake (Miiddagh and Jioe Eioosa gave when 
they were on thdir trout expedition last iSpring, I a^m satiisified we 
hiave a long distance yet before us, before we readi the wigwam 
of the Big Indian. But their enoafin(]Mnent of Ita^t nigiht shows 
we are not far behind them, and om their traiil, w<hticih as very 
likely to foiUo;w the bend' of the 'sltream, .winddng tlirioiugh the nar- 
row defile. Wlhat seems to y'oai bo be' tdie face of tlie moiuuitain, 
wall open, a.s we approach it, to the right or left, and we will see 
before us many ti'mes' the isame appearaniee — tisi if the valJey was 
about to terminate at the fooit of the nrountain." 
"Have you ever seen the Big Indian, Captain ?" 
"No. But I have beard Cale 'EiajJijeilje tcM of Jiim. He saiw him 
several times. Wnnesook was once very friendlly to< the white 
settlers, aiiid wlien he was jiouug and before he became Chief of 
this reunnant of the XeVersink tribe, lie often canne to tbe settle- 
nieiiit and iwas said to (he enamored of a yioiuig and friendless 
woman, who wias working for Mrs. Taick. iSlie onarried Jbe Bundy, 
and it is said wasi badly treated, and one nigiilt disappeared. 
Bundy has suspccitcd for a long time that Winne'sook carried heir 
off by force, or tliat she dcocrtcd him for the wiglwam of the 



133 

diiisky Ohieif tain. He has neiver veiDtured betfori© this inlto t'he iwilder- 
nes8 lo seek his misBing sipou.s'e, but lie qiDaweled wUtih. .the Big 
Imdiian and threatened ito kill him, and simee tlieo the condaicJt of 
Winnesooik ha;® been mwose and ill-natured tlo the ^Vh•ilt'e settlers. 
No open violence has been exhibited until the depredation at Can- 
tine's, Wednesday night, ^\•ihich is ehai'ged to Wimies'ook, who 
must have been aiecomimriiea by a considerable band, oa- they 
could not have driven off sto many cattle." 

"Hoiw large did Rappelje say the Big Indian wa^si?" aisted Bo- 
gart, 

"Very nearly seven feet in height," replied the Captain. '*He 
■vvias omce quite spare and slender, ibut in later yeaa-s, Cal© says, 
he has gwwn muiscu'lar and presenlts a fOll^ulidable enemy in a 
wresitle. If wie had to meet him on leqnal terms, I iwoiuld not like 
the encounter. It is over two yeoa-is' since he has visited the seit- 
tlement, and theni his visit 'did not end veiry civilly. He was 
provoked into a fight while he was inltoxicated, and he threw 
Pete Bm-ke tln'ough the upper panel otf the bariioiom. door at Mrs. 
Tack's; and .Winnesook iwas severely pelted with tumiblers and 
stones by Burke's party, before he got away into the "wfood." 

,The persons engaged in this conversation Avere the Captain and 
a subaLteru officer of a company af volunteei^s, of the settlement 
in .[Maribletown, to recapture a lot of cattle that had been driven 
off from the farm of .John Ciaaitine two nlights before. The com- 
pany hkid started early from their niig^ht's encampment, and at 
about cighit oV-lock had come uiwn the previous night's' encamp- 
ment of the Indians anid the tracks o'f the cattle, and a halt had 
tiakcn place tio investigate the niuinlber of the Indians, and the 
probable start thej' had of their punsuers. 

Captain Benson and Dogart were standing on a littie rise of 
ground near the presient settlement o»f PhceniiCiia, in the town of 
Sliandlaken. The morning siuu lit up the mountaims, and brought 
out the bnil'liant tints of tlie autumn-ail ifoliage. Tb the north 
the mountain Avais closed in by a bend in the valley, and to the 
south the stream llowed thro-ugh a belt of il'owland stretching out 
on either side to the mountain. Thisi has isince become beautiful 
meadbw, but then it waS' tbickly eo^'ered with forest trees of 
lofty hemlock, with an occasional bceoh or maple. 



134 

Leaving Captain Benison/.s> parity for a iiiomeiit,, let uS' follow tlie 
movements' of iWinmesook and 'his> band. 'Rvej wer'e made up of 
Various iti-ibes- that (had formta-ly oeciipied the wesit bamk of tlie 
Hudson liver and the Oat'Slkill moumtaiins. and were knio'wn at this 
tiuTe ill the settlemenit, as the iXieversink Indians. They had lived 
on friiendly teinis with t'be whites for .several years, and toad their 
camiping groumltei aion|g th'e Xievensink ami upon tihe ibnamcfheis of 
the Esopu®, a reigion yieft filleld witili game and choice fish- Winne- 
■sook wasi a niatural dilief, and poisisesised great Ibodily sfrengitih and 
fleetniess im the chaise- He had heeoine singularly fasdnat'ed Avith 
the person of GeJrtrude (MoLlynieaux, iwhoui he had frequenitly met 
in the settlenrent; and aft'er dier marriage witb Bumdy, he planned 
her ■captiure — an elvieiit siiei did niolt^ seem to resient, or soon .bacame 
iieconeiled to — ^and at <th€ time of whichi we are speaking s'he toad 
been several yeara an inhabitant of tbe Big Indian's^ wigwam, 
where die had borne him several ehiddren. 

The 'Capture of Cantine's icattHe Was- plaimiied by Winnesook, 
eitber from malice tovMardJs th'e settlerisi, or fromi itihie partisan 
feeling fostened by tbe Britisb army, tlren occupying Manhattan 
Mand and corrupting tbie sa'vagefe, wben ooca-sdon O'ffered, to aid 
Burgoyne in his efforts to j'oin General Howe. The raid bad been 
'executed by Winnesook witb a baml of aboaiit twenty Indians. 
The cattle had been taken witfli siucdi sipoilsi of i>oultry a^ could be 
carried with them; and whiilsit the subonddnate Inkliang had driven 
the cattle up the valliey oif tbe Esopus, tbe Chief, Avitb a B'miall 
num'ber o^f fleelt Indians, bovered near the sdttleni'ent, to observe 
any niieasures that mi'ght be taken tio recapture the property. 

On the day tiiat followed the taking, he bad watdied the 
preparaitions ; on the nex't day be had obsiei'ved al the miovemients, 
and c^onisitantly k:ci])it track of tlie pnogTesis- of tbe exjwidition. At 
the timie Caii>tain Benison and Bogait were conversiug, be and 
two o^f his tribe were iwithin blearing, covereld by tlw thick foliage 
of the bemlock undergrowth; whikt another of them had taken 
instriuctions to those drivisg the leattie, tben nolt m'ore tban tHiree 
miles in advance, in wbidi tb^ey Were directed to separate by 
Stony Clove, tbe Notch, and the direction of 'Snyder 'Holow, with- 
out disclosing tbeir movenrentis, Avbile th'e apparent trail should 
still be continued up tbe niixin stream. This artifice w"a& executed 
by a device familiar to Indiiante', by driving the cattle througb 



135 

the bed of the sitr earns which flmv (lawn from these mountain 
goi-ges, for a distance, until the tralil wlas tast. 

Oaptadn Benison's party had been made up for -pursuit quite 
sipeediliy, -when it is considered t<hat the siettlemenit Avias soatter^d 
and had no organized military force. It numlbered upwards of a 
hundred men. It was •a. que'stion whebber ithie ipuiijiosie of the 
Inidians was warlike, or one of mere theft; a-nd the feelings of 
the pursuiufg parity iwerie yet umsetitJed, as to whether the Indians 
were pursued as enemies, or \Aihether the pui-iposie wasi only to re- 
take the stolen propienty; but it wasi kno'wn ithat one memiber of 
the party meant blood. That wa-s Bundy, who had "nursed his 
wrath' to keep it> warm." 

Ca.ptain Benson saw him. aipproaehing, at the moment of the 
conversation deseribed, and eailMl to him: 

"Joe! dio you pa-opose visliting Winnesoolk to ask hiim about t/he 
health of his family?" 

"If I can draiw a bead uipon hisi yellow carcass," answiered 
Bundy, "I will send him a visitor. I think Ohe best way to civilize 
the yellow sa^rpent is to let day light into his Wack heart." 

"You look at the <|uestion with the graen eyes of jealousy, I 
think, .Joe," i^aid Caj^itain Benson. 

"I'll taike a look at him along this; piece of iron," said Bundy, 
holding up hisi rifle, as if in the aet. of aiming it. 

Oaiptin Benson moved his party forwiard in pursuit, without 
much militaiy, precision, but nevertheless with the catiition and 
skill each person possesiseil from hiis exii>erienice as a hunter or 
woodsman. Thej' saw no enemy, anui found none of the property. 
They h'adl been several times in doulbt ahout the trail, and sus- 
peoted the faot that the cattle had been divided among different 
parities; hut it had 'been done so artfully that the different trails 
were not discovered; nor would it have 'beem prudent^ to divide 
the company in the pursuit. At night Ca'ptain Benson's party 
went into camip, near the present junction of the Eisopus and 
Birch ereefes. Piekets were stationed at different poinlts to pre- 
vent surprise and the eamp-firas were lighted; fish were caught 
from the adjacent stream, and each pemon was quieitly engaiged in 
satisfying hiis hunger, or reslting from 'the fati-gues oif the day, 
'Rihen the shai-p crack of a rifle was heard, and Bundy 



136 

caime niniiiang int-o oaimip in an exoitiod. mianncir, exielaiming, "I 
have sieeni and- sluot tili>a Big Imli'an." 

"lib was Mb gihost, more I'ikelly,-' siaid' Bogart. •'His' eipirit 
hiaimts' Joe iby day and' by niiglhit,". ^he added. 

"Where is he now?" asked Captain BenBon. 

"He disappeared in the tniisihes," anisiwered Bundy, 

"Let us see," said t'he Cmpitaiin, "wJiethier Joe hias sihWt at a 
glliOwst or real flesJi' and iblood." 

Several of ttoe party at oniee sallied fortlh in the d'irectioni point- 
ed oftit by Bundy, but nothinig was found to veiiilfy Ms story, and 
the eaniip was umus'turbed dairing Vhe rest of the night. 

The following mornling ti-aces of blood were found from the 
point where Bundy iliad killed the ghosit, as it had jestingly bee-n. 
talked of in the oamip. The blood tmoks. led to a large pine 
tree, and in the hollow tirunk was foiinid the Big Indian, dead, 
bub still eredt. He had given no alarm, but with true Indian 
fortitiide, Jiad yielded up his spirit, Avhere he had diid himself 
from dia.nger of pursuit. Hisi ifaee wore the sitoieal firmauess in 
deatli it had caa-rietl dmring life. 

iBunidiy (examined with' some pride the wiound through the 
obest, wdiile Ms comipanions released tlie body, and decently laid 
ou^t its stalwart limlbs np.on the tiii-if upon the bank of the stream, 
and wasilied away the staiils of blood. 

While they were thws engaged, there emeilged from the forest 
a form wfliioh sefveral recognized as the missing spouse of Bundy. 
iSIie paid no attention to any one, but threw heilsielf u^wn the dead 
body of tbe Chieftain, and uttered the most ifrantie shrieks of 
gnief. 'She refus-^etl all overtures of sympathy from the party of 
Benson. Bundy himself oft'ered none, but abashed by the grief- 
strielven woman, who seiemed to have forgotten him im another 
passion, he retired from, the scene. 

The bod(y was buried on a little rise of grounjd near by. Thie 
woman Ger*trude attended with her children, and with a more 
subdued grief witnessed the intermenit. But she could not be 
induced to return to the setblemenit, or bo aeeeipt any pity or as- 
sistance from 'the settlers. 

The Indians, aifter they heard of the death of Winnesook, re- 
turned most of thie cattle whidi they had taken off and accepted 
overtures of pieace and friendslhip. They were in a few years 



137 

forced! baek to a more remote wildierniess. 'by tihe advan'eing s'ettlft- 
m-ent; but Clei'itrude, adoptdiig a residenee by lienself, reared her 
childien near the grave of tlve Big Indian. 

Tlie large pine tree fell with age, where it had sifcoiod, at thie 
foot o>f the valley of bbe EsopuB, now known -as Big Indiiam Hol- 
low. The old stuimp was still recoginiized 'by tihe inhabitiainta of 
tth'e vidnity until it was a few years ago covered by the railroad 
embanknienit, near tbe brid^'e now spanning the Esoipus, a sliort 
d'istanee above Big Indian (Station. 

18 



HISTORICAL ADDRESS 

Delivered at the City of Kingston by William Lounsbery at the 

Centennial Anniversary of American Independence, 

July 4, 1876. 



This is the forest primeval. The murmuring pine.s and the hemlocks, 
Bearded with dioss, and in garments green, indistinct in the twilight, 
Stand like Druids of eld, with voices sad and prophetic. * * * 

— Longfellow, 



OOElR'ESIPO'NiDENOE. 

Offiice of the [Majior of the City olf Kingston, 
Kingston, X. Y., June 5tih, 187G. 

WILLIA3I LOU^^SBiEEY, ESQ.: 

Dear Sar: lAt tilne request of tlie Commoni Oouncii I write you, 
as Seeretiary oi ithe ULst'er Counity HistorJeajl iSodietty, to furnish, 
through the society,, the historical .siketeh, oS the oounity, town and 
city for ith^e Oentieiini'al Celelbration. 

Pleaise ansiwer, so that the committee miay be advised, of the 
eertain'ty of the prodaiction. 

'Most RpisipeictfiDlily. Yours, 

JiAJS. G. LITNDSIiEY, Mayor. 

Kingston, N. Y., June Gtlh, 1S7C. 

JAMES G. LINDSLEY, ESQ., Mayor, &c. : 

Dear Sir: I h'aive this mornlinig Tefceived your favor of yester- 
day, on beliQllf of th'C Common Council, requesitinig mie as Secretary 
otf the Ulslter Coimty Hisitorical Society to fiu^msih thilough the 
»otciefty the historieal isketch of t^he county, town and city for the 
Centennial oelebi'^a'tioai. 



139 

I ought to S'ay t\mt I ihold tlie office iii tine siodiettyi by yivtm 
olf tihe lasit 'eilectiion tdi-e society liaiil 'tilne vitality tio make, Tiie 
aotJieity itiaellf lia^s ipasisied into liisitory. Thei'e is tih'erelfore no 
special fitmesisi in iny ^selection.' o-n that aic'counft; and I am satisfied 
that a ilyetit'er choice couM ha'Vie iheeii miade. 

It is ipossiWe, liowever, th'ait tihe Comimoii Couincil may tove 
put redianioe on my general golod naitiurie aaid willingnesisi to do 
'Avthalt is asked oif mie, and I wiill not tiherefore disaippoint ttoem, if 
tdiie brief tim^e a^llowed is sufficient for the piu-posie. I do not 
Aviant, either, to seem uniuidnidifiil dl the honor conferred 'by tihe 
selection. The Msltory of the county, town and city Ivais been 
long the proimi:5'edi siubjeict of history, but tlms< far the promise 
has not been realized. I am therefoa^e invited to plough thei virgin 
soil of Ulisten 'Ooiunty history, and to strike the- axe into the 
"prilmeval forest" of our city annals. 

I make no great lexpedtaitions of the r-esiult of the effort, but it 
will be thie beginnings of what may in time become a very 
credlitiable dolleiction of local iieoords. 

Vei-y Respectfiulily Yours, 

WriiLLl^I LOU2^Sa3(EIlY. 



•HISTORia'^L ADDHESS. ' ' 

Messrs. the Mayor and A'ldei'mien, TJaidies and G'entlemen: 

The settlemiCint of Xew England in- North America has been 
uiiudi more spoken of in tbe booksi itham th'at of ithe CSTelw ijSTetbea-- 
lands. More even than that of Jamestown in Virginia; although 
it was la;ter in point of time by ahont^ ten years.. The reason 
for t'his in quite apparent. The eettlers of Niew England! were 
theni'selves the 'writers of hiistory, and' have, ever since their 
landing in America, thrown into their origin a literarj' zea«l as 
powei-^ful to awaken inltercst as was their sltrength of neiliigious 
fervor wbich sustained them- through the suft'erings of their flrsit 
few months of a New England wimter on a sterile shore. 

The settlers of Virginia were of the Engiisih aristocraey, who 
ca^(^d much for the glory of family and noithing for the glory 
of the people they \^^ei'e starting upon a national career. The 



140 

settlers of the Xe'vv Xeiblnerlanidsi were tradere, who cared for the 
"rain't, anise ajid euiimndn," and n^eglected the weightier matters 
<vf their future history. It sO haippened tha't Virginia, seittlcd in 
l(i07, became tihe imotlier of Presidents'; Niew York, giettled 1010, 
beuame the corn'mercial nuetroipoilis of the Xorbli Amed<:ia.n t'olo- 
niies; and ^Massiadiiusetts, sieJttled in 1020, furnished tire men who 
have been histonians of tihem all^ — tm'aking Plyimouitilr Rock tlie 
central light in tine icolonial hisitory O'f America. 

It is known that Henry Iludison, with a Dutch coinmissioin, en- 
tered the river which now bears his name a.s early «s 1009. He 
then examined it as far a» the conflueneei of tihe I'^fohawk, and 
Uooik home iwlibh ihimi a 'mialp of the 'river and an adeoun't of tlie 
region watered by it. This wa<si quickly printed at Leyden,, and 
spread throaigh Holland and the Xetherlandis, and ai-ted poiwerfully 
upon t:he adventurous spirits oif the youth o'f Almistendann. In the 
three years, Ifoillowing settlements' 'Were made on Manhattan 
Island, on aar island in the river just' below Albany, and at some 
point in the temtory afterwai-'ds kmown aisi thie setitlemenit in the 
Esopius' — ^nliithin the present linritisi off the City of Rinigslton. 

An Eniglisili vesisel, in 1613,, ifoiund the siettO'ement on Man- 
hattan Island so flourishinfg that it was not molested. 

The eolonisits on the badksi of the 'Hudsom isieeni to ha've pros- 
pered firom ibhe 'first. Tlhey^ were evidenltly tlhirifty and enterpris- 
ing, and in the E'sopusi foumledi 'a ti'ade Avith the Indians, and 
had commeniced agricultural ipU'iisiuitsi along t.he vallley of the 
Esopus and Rondbut creeks, witih a 'lacidtinlg at Twaal'fslki'll. In 
I0"20 t'he colonies on the Hudision- were inic'kided in the inicorpora- 
tion of the Dutch' 'Wesit Inldia' Ooimpam'y, and iwere thais. organized 
into a comniiunity on a tradi'Ug bas.is', wiith a Governor located 
alt Xew York. 

Tiliere is Irttlei doull)t tliat tihe Dutich colony was the most 
thrifty of all the coloniiesi in Nortli Aimerica. Xo writer of the 
eauly histO'ry o(f tire count ryi has undertaken to pi-ocnire statistics 
oif its growth from th.& proieeedings olf the Dutch Weisit India- Com- 
j)any, doubtl ess still to be found at Amisterdami ; Init the evidence 
of the fa'Cft are isuffiiciently apparent from the extent of tlie terri- 
tory covered by it and in 't'he .preponderating inflaienice oif the eaiiiy 
Dutich is'ett'lement in the hdsltory of tlie locali'ty, sinice the Eivglish 
took th'e conbroll of tlie government. Ait Vhe tinre oif t'he reivolution 



141 

tli^e po2>ulation of Maniha'ttan Island audi the tytlier se'ttleiivenltis on 
tihe Hudision furniishedi thei Jargesit quotas to tlie Continientiil army, 
'and bone Itihe 'brunt of t'be. aisisiaullt olf the Britislk arms at Sara- 
toga aii'd aloiilg tilie 'Hudson' river. The reisul't of tihese military 
operations was, in th'e opinion) of histoiuans, decisive of tJie war 
to a very great extent, as the division of the Conitinienlt'al amiy 
iby tlie posise'sisiiion of the line of th'e Hu'dso'n nivei' 'by the British 
troopsi was the great aim of 'thieir eom'mlanldlin'g general for a long 
time. 

Tihe Dutob colouislt.s were an intelligent people, o^f deep re- 
Ji'gious i-oiiiXi'Ctions, and very s'trougiy imbued witli tilie i-reed of 
the iPnOtesltant sects of Holland. .The Relfornved Dutch Churche'S 
of the Counlty Of Tjll'slt'er bear witnesisi to the extent a'nd chara^ct'er 
of the 'population of the early settlennen't. These ohurch'es were 
founded at Kingston, 'Hurley, Mar'bletown, Rochester and Wa war- 
sing, and were suippliied wit'h. faithfiil anid edumted pa;stors, going 
among the peaple 'by th'e na'me of Do'juinie. The chiuix;h records 
olf Wrth'S, deait'hs and marriages are t'oday> 'tihe niosit reli'aWe and 
va'luaWe reteonds of the .genea.logy of Uls't'er County faiuiilieSj anid 
the influence of tilie eaitly Dutch settlensi is .sltilH preserved with 
tlie churches 'then founded. The RePoilmed 'Churchesi still retnuain 
'iifbiding plaeed of sound doctrine, and ithe ,poiinit'S aibout which is yet 
eoUec'ted a very large proportion of the oburch-'gfoing 'people of 
tih'O icounty — t'he <lesicendanits oif tlie early Dutch setltiiers, a.nd those 
to whom they 'have become allied by business! assoeiatiojus and 
inter -'marriages. 

The settlement seems to have 'been generally O'U terms of 
friendisihip 'wiit'li the alborrgines. Occaisional ihostiillities with tln^ 
Imdia.ns ar^e r'eCorilied, but nothing oocurried seriously tio distui'fb the 
prosperity df the colony until in 10(i3, wlieni five settlement of 
\\"ilt:\\yick wa.s attemp.ted no be ^surprised by the lu'tllians. The 
S'Bttlers succeeded in repelling tlie attaek, bu't not until a ana'^- 
sacre of u.pward'S of one liumdred of the inhabitiantis of Hurley, 
tihem kno'wn as the "Xew 'Dorp," and the loiss of ca'ptives, anroingst 
wiiieli W'ere s'everal of the wives of t'h'C principal settleris. The 
ipursiuit and recapture df the prisoners' lied to the diseoveiy of the 
fertile vallej" oif the Wallkill, and its subsieipvent aequisdtion by 
patent. 

The causes which led to iihis ru,pture with t'he Indianis Avere 



142 

not from tiie faull of tilie settleris,, ibut baid a politioal oiiigin, and 
sprung from 'the 'efloi't ol t'hie two priiiicipal mitions, Eniglaod and 
France, then rivals, for terri'toriall at-quisition in Xorth America. 
The Indians had heconie patisians of the French, and Avere their 
allies in a series oif at'tacks all along the line of isettliementt from 
Xew England to Vinginia. 

Englisih troops were in this way sent to the colonies, and the 
political control of the setltlenient on the Fludsion pa,sis'ed inlto the 
liande of Engfland in 1GG4. Th.e Dut'ch traders- at !Manlhat'taii 
Island peaeeaibly j-'ielded up their goveraimeut to an English ves- 
sel, hut reitainied their property and trade, and tooik title of the 
lands from Kinig Oharles II 

This Tevolutlion 'Wais imiportant nevea-theless, and gradually 
worked an imiportaiUib 'change in the ciharacter' of the peopile. The 
names of the siett.lemenits wei^e chamlgeid, and Xeiw Yonk and Al- 
'bany were naiiied aifticT' Engld-shi print-es, and Kingstton was in- 
corporated and niamed lim ihonor of am EnglisQi bbnough aidjac«nt 
to Lonldon. i^Iar'bletown and Hurley were inicorpcwated, and grtvnts 
otf fend \^^el■'e made from the 'Cll•o^vn' to Tiuisitees', toi be held for 
settlemeint, in thesie towns. An extensiive gramt was ateo m'ade, 
under the name of New Paltz, to twelve TnusitieoSj siome^ of whom 
wer'e Hugueinot refugees, and pairoel of an .emigrationi from France 
that camie out to nearly aM the colonies to e'scaipe religious 
orueity lin their, native oounltiry. 

The County c>i Ulsiter included these imiuiiciipal iu'coirporatiions, 
and AA'as oiiganized in the year 1083, and incliided thie |{)resent 
countiesi of Ulster, I)ela\\are and iSlu'llivan and part* of Greene 
and Oriunge, and extended from (~!laiwyieii''s creek on the north, to 
^luixleiw's cneeik, near the Highlands', on the south. 

From the first siettlment to this pei-iod, siulbstantially a half 
a oentuiTy, the gotvernnnent was eo2)it'd after cities and -villiayes 
of Hollaiiid, and i)rescn(ted a mLvtuae of the ix^imblican adid jxitri- 
ai'chal form. Judgels were chosem, who 'wcaie to he "Ji!onetit, in- 
teMigent persons, iJOsBessiong real estate, .peacealble 'juen, good 
subjeots to their Londs' anid Patroons, land the high adauli'nistiiation 
appointed bj' them, ii>ix)(fessors of the Reformietd i^eligion, ais' it isi 
n^ow picadied in the United Xethei-lands, in conformity to the 
word of <jlc>d, and the ordei'S of tJne Synod oif Dordreoht." 

An aiiUatocratic e'lomeuit wiui initroduued by ihe Enigllislli plan 



143 

df dolonizaMon. Gramts o'f lairige t(rad:s df 'lamd' were made by 
fa^-ior of the Einig to indlivaduaJs — .some of which hiaivie remainied 
in tlieir faiiniTies to thi'S day, in part' at least, But, asi an illus- 
tration erf a differeiilt relsuilt: an heir, olf <mie of these patents, 
traveling in PraiDee, spent his inhei'itanoe, and pledged his share 
of the patent to a money -^lender there. 'His derk, ^lent out to 
foi^eolose, remaimed in ipossesisiOn, and the tract n<y\v bears his 
name, and is .the (basis Of It i tie ito neady one thousand farm's 
in Ulster, Delawnre and Greene counties. 

The colony a'fter its chlanige df governnient was reiinfioreed 
largely by Briitish. isubjeiefcs — ^Scotch and Welsh mostly at. first, 
but atftei-TV'ards by Irish; iso thiat no colony presents a bcltter illus- 
tration of the tranisifluision of the blood of nations. It is a hardy, 
pracitical race — little lenl by bigotry, and bried to a toleranioe in 
creed, and exiperienced in th'e variou-^ forms o'f gKn^eram-ent, and 
th*' melt'injg of a 'fornii olf worishfip in the bond of marriage. 

It doe9 nio violenice to the dignity of hisitory to turn oriide from 
the current etvient* iflo do honor to a hei-O', entSt'led to at by a union 
of ability and fortiune. A young Welshman came oiit from his 
country, and made hi'S first 'residence near thie presenit city of 
Troy, in the Rensselaer manor. In 1652, to bettter his business 
prospectsi, hie remoiv^ed \\-*ith'in the present limits of Kingston, a^nd 
became distintguished by; hlis a'ptness and Vigor, and was' chosen 
captaiin olf the company of militia. In the attack by the In- 
diams in 1663 be distin(guished himself by a suc-cieissful orgamza- 
tion of hlis troop and in reipelHing thie saA'aiges. The attaiek was 
a surpiise, and it threatened at one time the entire destruction 
of the ooni'murtrty. But it wasi met with T.igor, boldlness amd 
skill, anid' wasi turned to a rout oif the Indian warrioiis, that ulti- 
mately led to the lextermiaiatiion of all the saA'ag^e bands in the 
neigliJborhood df the settlement. 

In recogiilition df these services', an order wasi issued by Gov. 
Lovelace in 1072, and confirmieid by Gov. Dongan in 1681, setting 
forth that "Caipt. Thomas Chambers, a Justice of the Peace of 
Esopus, hath done 'siiignal and notable service In thie wars against 
the Indians; and having by industry acqnlired a donsiderable es- 
tate, and having among the nest a mia-nslon blouse not far from 
Kingston, with a gre;it tralcb of land thereto belonigling', which 
S'fidd hows-e is made defensive aigainisit any §inddeni incursion of the 



H 



144 

IrKlams or oitilifers: I'll aif-ikn.awlpdgnie'n'i: af theae seiwiiicies anid in 
rocompenee tilierieof, the swid hoivse and lands are lereotied into t'lie 
]\Ianior of FoxhaJ]." This grant 'a'lso 'included thie "ipoweir to hoild 
Court Leet and Court Baron; to appoint a sitewa-rt to try causes 
ai'^i'sing bestweien tllve vaisisials;" and granted "all waitfis, estrays, 
felonis' ipi'operty, &c., to tOre lord) with ri'ghts df adiViO(vvson and 
patronage to snxeh oliurcih asi he may' esta.bM.sih on tihie prieniiises." 
ftueli a. grant in lEin^'la.nd iwomld 'hiiive canned at least the title of 
Sir Knight Divnoinet to Capt. Chamfbers, anid no one could liave 
•said that fit was undesienved. Tihisi vaikiaMe grant was ilierediitary 
and though oaaielfiU'Hy guanled by a most initrieate entail in tlie 
villi of Capt. Cfhamiibers, tbe ']Mhnor ha* disappeared. It was. at 
war witih Anneniean insfaitiitioms, and none of tihe land^s, framchises 
or .piiivilieige's can now \ye found in the lieirs or descendants' of t'h« 
origfinal grantiee. 

•The Ctounty af Ulster a« originally organized inichided all tlie 
iratemiiediate is^ettlememt olf conisequende betiweieni 'Nie%v York and 
Albany on tilne west 'bank of the Hudson, a'lid keii>t 'piioigriesis with 
the growth of tlie setit lenient on tlie Hiidsion iduring the century 
fironi the o,ccupatjoin by the pyivg'lfisii to tine opening' oif tlie revo- 
lution in 1776. It bad during that, iperiod gi^eatly. linei-ieased in 
Oomsequenice, and Kingisitoin had become a settlieinent of great iin- 
poirt«a.n)ce, ranking as th'e third 'in point, of poipiuilation in the 
colony. It \\ia.s central, and had become the seat of government, 
wheire the Colonial Legislature had its sesisaoins. Johtii Jay, the 
lea'ding 'la,wij'ier of the colony, was glad to taike retainers at the 
Kingston court'9, and left hfo clients at N.ew Ylodc to attend term 
at Kingston. iBy a retsoliition of the Provincial Oomlvention, 
passed iDcc. 21, 177i5, the Ulster County jaM 'became the jaiiil of the 
colony. 'The Pixivincial Contention, contemplating its removal 
to Kingston, 'was informed Iby a reptoirt of its cammattee;, on the 
31 St of January, 1770, that if it should move to Kingston, "fifty 
(memibersi may otbta'in good aiOcoininodations at the rate of tjwenty 
sihillings/ a week," and that the Court House had a large room, 
airitable iflor the convenition to. meet in. The coniveintion "was in 
sesision oif iMarch IS, 1777, at Kingston', and on the 20th diiy of 
April, 1777, the first Oonstlitutiiom off the State of New York was 
a<d)opted Iby this body. It wafi among th© earliest oif the written 
Constitutions adlaptedi by 'tQie AmerJcan Sita;tes. 



145 

The six monith's foUtowinig tJie aidodiit'iom. of this Con'Sititiitd'on 
were made uieiUiOa-aible to tilie peopte of Ktogston. Tor sub- 
stanitially a eeiittoy theij had been uinder tibe d'omiimon of tlie 
Briitisih Mmgs. They Jiad paid t'beir tithinigs witbowt nioita.ble 
dissent. They li'ad not evea taken an lactave part in tbe' inime- 
diat.e quaiirel wililioh bi-Ought about a raptaire betwieen th© parent 
wunbry and her eolomies. The old ladlies of Kingston liad all t'he 
time taken tiheir tea. witb a solid Dufceh. oomfoirt. giving nO' great 
thought to the tax. 

When tilie breadi 'was made no State siliowed) as bolder 
fromt tihan ;Xew York. The Provincial Oonlgi^ess, sitting at 
KingiSitbn, in ]\Iiay, 177C, belfore the adoption of the Dedlaration 
of IniJiependenee, i-alled a convention, and this conivention, sitting 
in the Wintei- folloiwing, reaffirmed the Dedairationi oif Indiepen- 
dence, and in Aipril, 1777, as we haiw ^sit'ated, sitting lagain at 
Kinigston, promnlgaited a Consititiiition of New York, as' a 'State, 
independent of Great BritaSn. 

These acts incited the finry o'f tlie Britisb amns, and on t'he 
16tb day of Oetobeir, 1777, General Vamghan Handed a detaiChmenlt 
of abo'irt one thiousiand and six hundred troopS' from Sir Henry 
Cliniton's vessels of Avar in the Hudson, and Ibiirnt tihe town of 
Kingston. Tbe act of the 'BTitis'h. General wasi dictated by re- 
©entment to'wards the place wbere tlie prominient aets' of colonial 
lindependeiijce h'ad been put initio foi'm. 

It did not result from the want of biraivery off the people in- 
habiting the toiwn. The able bodied men were mostly wiith, the 
army near the Hilg^lvlands. It was not the iwant oif vigilance of 
Ibbe iCommander-in-Oiief; for be bad detached a sufficient foTce 
to cover Kingston, But a favorable wind had eairried the v^es- 
sels of tbe enemy up the river mkwe rapidily th'an the Araierican 
.troops 'Could, even by a -forced mai-ieh, eqnal in speed, and) the 
'Work of 'desitiniction wasi neariy 'comfpleted Tvhen the adivanee 
•guaird of the iContiinental troops came in 'sigiht of their biurhing 
'bom'eg. 

The loss <6f property was veiy igreat. The recently gathered 
hairvesftis were in ihe barns, or gathered intb stack, convenient 
fior destriicition, a'ud at the approach 'of Win/tier the whole popula- 
tion was left 'Without food and without shelter. 

But lit was noit alone the loss of pro'perty. Th'e people of 

X9 



146 

Ei-ngsiton, proud tto 130 tllie aaipitial itawn o'f tlie new State, iwliere 
ibe loew Consitilution was fraiiiiied and. wliere tlie irevr Legisilature 
'baid jast reioently aisisemibled, and .\vili«re Georige Cliniton', one of 
ibe<r c^tizenisi, diaid jiisit 'been pTio'chiiiiniie'd Govea-moi", ibaid before itbem 
iri good ipr;oim5sie of ibeieoiininig ihe poliiti'cal centre o'f tfhie new 
iSlt'aitie. (Their loea'l pride, as wie'll as tb'eir .protijerty, was tbiis 
suiddenily and eoniipletely destroyed. In the Siniiolklering emlaers 
of tbdr diweMingiSi they looked upon the aocivmulatied savSnlgs of 
a cent^wy and a ihalif otf industry and eco'iioniy, and tiiey siaiw 
tbere las well the destrutetion idf a political power and dntluience 
that had been igatHiered and 'hioarded witli. lequiail .eare. The gov- 
ernnrent 'WlhWi Ivad (been organized in the'ir ini'idst was scattered 
into the interior towms, a>nd the reeonds .even df tlieir pros,pe(i'ity 
bad ibeen disfpersied inlto iirresponsSble .hands. 

■Diiring tbe century wbifli hiais simee elapsed Mre waislte places 
haive 'been restored; better 'buildings: stand wlierei fommer ones 
wer.e burnt; the fieldsi bear prom'i'se cf another bountifnil b'arvest; 
■more tbam fifty persons eowkl 'be coimf.ortab]y tept at tbe iioftels; 
a spaiciou'9 rooirni <*0'uM eonvenliently aiecoinimod'ate tlie State oon- 
ventions; ibut none oif them could come back to Kingston to hold 
tlhiedr isesisions. Tliie firies of tlio first r3ivoliution, very seniously 
put back the progress oif the settlenienit in tilie; Esoipus dn her 
■Sitrife with her neighbors along tbe Hudson. 

Buit the sifcrugglie has nevertbeliesis been carried on wit'li courage, 
witJi' 'enterprise and .w'ilt'h untiring laibor. U'kter .oounity 'hais now 
ibeoome 'a great and wealtihy commiiuni.ty. Witb a .poi>uila.tion of 
a hundricd tbtoiiisanid; with imiami'faictnu-esi .seekinig evei-y (market 
of tbe whoile nation, out of miateiiialsi costing only thie labor of 
her i>e.o(ple; wilt'h ra.il roads di-atwinig trade 'froan eveiiy direation. — 
it sitandsi today owning no 'superior in. tbe stnugigie for political 
power 'and commerdiail weailtli. 

Durinig tlio time tbis point hiais been' in the silcAv proigi'Oiss oif 
attainimient, it .cannot 'l>e said tb'at the ,set.tlemient in tine Es.ojm1'S 
was niggardly in its patriotisim, or that 4t wa'S. beliind in duty or 
saiorifioe, when it wa<9 in(\^oilve(l in war' a'long wi,th tlie other 
American sietitlemients, or m .tbe iweservntion! otf tlve Un.ion di tb.e 
States 'whiiidhi it took so promllnent a part in. organizing. 

In tlie Oantidia'tt iniviasiion, in 1775, a. 'full regimient. recniitied 
in Ulster County, wa.s present wb^en tihe chivaJroius .and lamented 



147 

Moiiit;goniediy fell in tlic uwfontunate attack on 'Quelbeie. Uls.t.er 
Coiuitiy .c:oiitril)uted several reigi.menits to .the 'Comtinientaa army. 
Thiey were iiiwler ithe directioii of Gav^i-nw Georige OHiiitoa, the 
Comimiamlei--in-Chie,f of tlie Statue tirooips, amd were actively em- 
ploj-ietl imm .the .beigiiiming' in tihe oipera.ti-oinis in Oanadia, in oppos- 
iug Burgoywe at Saiaitogia. and in gnai-dimg the river at West 
iPid.nt. In the \v,ar oif 1812, or tli.e SaHlors' Klglnts Wair, m it 
was calle'd, a iregimient oif troioi).-; wa,si raised in Ulster County, 
wliich was the c^olor regifmeiit o/f a l)rigade statd'oned on Stateii 
Island to oover New Yodc and th« fonbiflicaifcioiis- at tlxe Narrows. 
They bad no actaial engiXg«ment witli the enemy, and at the olose 
of th.e wa.r resumed their former ooaupationsi witliout foi-getting 
their iseirA-iiices in the cause of the .sailors. 

The breaking out oif the Souithern Rebellion ini Apri'l, 18U1, 
found Ulster iCoumty peculiairly well situated to take part in the 
active operations of .war, t-hrast siuddenly on the govemm'ent. 
The iSt'ate wa'Si called upon for all its available militia, and the 
Ulster County regi,ni.ent, then under the comm!a.nid of Geoi'ge W. 
Pi^afct, was enabled to miarCh to the de.fein^.e of WasiMirigtom by th« 
side of tih.e peginnents oif ithe city of New Ym-k and was the O'ttly 
•regiment oif militia oaibsid© of New York City and Brooklyn, and 
the one fitted out under the eyesi of the 'State officers of Albany, 
tliat was able to resplond to the c-aLl oif the governmtent. It was 
comiposed of im;auy of tlie best citizems oif the countiy, and miade 
a three montihs' oamipaign, very efficiently aidinig in the early 
military operations atout WasMnlgton. It furaislned t-he iiuicleus 
of tihree relgiments of volunteers froim tine oounity, .aifterwtxrd' mus- 
tered into the siervice dif the govcrnnrent, and wihic'h took part in 
many of the most inrpontant engagements, iplemti'fiully sipiinl^dling 
the Mood o'f Ulsltei' Comruty on the .soil of ma.ny Ibaittle fields- in 
Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virigiinia, and filling many lioius.*oldis 
with grief ifor the toss of their most promisiing youth. The gal- 
lant Pratt fell an eamly victim, and Ihis >losis produced a .profound 
grief in .the county, \Mh.cTe "he was .greatly respected as a young 
man of fine education, of ma.nly punposes, and gnealt inelligence 
and activity in the conducting of public matters. 

'The isaloriftces of Ulster County were tat .comniien'ced with the 
volunteers wiho filled the .regiments i-^aiised in the eounJty. Three 
different di'a^fts wei-e ordered 'by tlie goivcrnmeut, and made by the 



148 

Provost iMvarshals, af)i]X)initieid for fcbe differ ©ni CongresBiomial dis- 
taicts. A'bout one-itiliird of the entire available militia, foa-ce oit' 
the State was tlius caMed into action. 

In Ulster OoiMntiy a, bounty was- allavved out .oif tlie Treasury 
of the county equal to from three t'o 'eig'ht hundred doillars per 
man, amd an dndebtedness of a little over tmo mililio'n' dollars wus 
th'us incuiued by the ooiunity, wliidi !hiad reached its ilieight in the 
year 1864. It fbas been sdmce reduced to the siumi of aibout a 
milJdon and a half dollaiis, and restis as a serious burden upon tJie 
prosperity df tlie pe^ople, to be paid, accoixling to .present legisla- 
tion on tJie s'ulbjeot, from the taxe^* of the next eleven years. 

The extraordinary burcienc* wluioh liave been thus imposed uj[j- 
on the resources of the people of the county hiaxe been carried 
onily by intelligent industry and tlie most active enterprise olf her 
citizens, in availinig themselves of every avenue to prosperity and 
busiiness profit, whdch furnishes no uninteresting topic in the 'his- 
tory of the county. 

One of the most important of the elements of growth and 
business prosperity had its origin in the construction of the Dela- 
ware and Hudson Oanal, wbicb was pa-ojected to tiianisport anthra- 
cite coal Ifirom the Lackawanna legion in Pennsylvamia to the 
Hudson rivei-, Tihe selection of the moutb of tine Eondout 
creek as t'he Hudson terminus ilias given, rise to the employment 
o'f a great numfber of lalborors and to a large trade, to wihich the 
village oif Eondout h'as for many years owed its principal im- 
portance and port tonnage. The Canal Company was incor- 
porated in 1823, with a capital of one million five hundred tihous- 
and dollaT.s — fifty thousand dollairs of wlnicli Avas autboi-ized to 
be used for banking. The State loaned eight hundred thousand 
dollars to the company, and took a warm interest in the enter- 
prise, aiwl not witliout reason. The business df tbe com.pany, 
firom the copi.pletion of the 'canal in 1828, lias beeni profitable, and 
the operat.ion.s of tlie company ihave been very greaitly extended. 
The (State loan has been repaid with interest, the oniginsil caiiital 
increased, and the icai]>aoity of the canal enlanged, witb an in- 
creased area of the comipanly's coail lands. The caipital lias now 
reached twenty imilHion dolkirs, and its lw>nded debt somewiliat 
over twelve milliion dollans, as against an original cost of tbc work 
of $1,424,994 for the New York poi'tion of the line and $012,123 



149 

for the Penmsiyilvania. iportioii of bhe line. The coal shipper! from 
'the mdnes in 1829 'wasi 7,000 tons; in 1873, 2,7^2,51)0 t'ont^, and tlie 
profits in 1873 were $2;013,507.l)0. 

During the consitiruction of 'the canal ■valuaJble cement quar- 
ries were ifound in the 'county, andi it* use a.nd' manufaicture were 
commenved. It "has since developed with wonderful raipidity in- 
to one of the imos't important and profitalUle indusitries' o!f the 
State. The trade-mark ■•I'osendale Cement" is a passport to t'he 
eonfidenoe of the' huiilder on the contin'ent of Europe as well as 
in America. 

Allied to t'hie cement business, there has sprung up dm-ing 
later years an industry that ;ha.s given employment and profits 
to a large number o(f ^people: quarrying and imarlv'eting flagging 
etone. Ulster County bluestone, riised at first onl'y to a limited 
extent, has now 'become the .princi'pal material in t'he construct ion 
of sidewalks in the loities of the United State's' and at somie foreign 
points. IThe triade has become a \ery important one among the 
industries of t'he county. The City of Kingston, otherwise 
neglectful of her street's, from tiho vaoinity olf the iblues'tone de- 
posits has become jusitily celebrated for her excellent sidewailks. 

Leajt'her .mlanufaet'uring, once an iiiiiportant busines'S' in the coun- 
ty, has almost entirely disappeared. The hemlock bairk used in 
the business of tanning has been nearly all eonismmed, and this 
branch of indaisitry, once so imiport'ant in the county, has been 
s ubs t an tiall y a bandoned . 

It is now a fact worfch,y of mention that great 'business pros- 
perity in the count}' has resulted in la'te years mainly from con- 
nection with the canal traile, the business in oement, or Ulster 
County bluestone. 

The industries' which we have maimed 'have not resulted in injury 
to agricultural j)urisuitis, but rather in th'eir favor, by furinislliing a 
market iwiithiu the county for tlhe farm product's'; and nowhere has 
land ruiikicnl higher as to price per acre for purely farm puiii)oses, 
or the labor of tilie h'usbannlnian Ireon better rewarded. The bot- 
tom landis of tli* valle.ysi of t!he Esopusi, Rondout aird \\'allkill 
sitiieani'S are occupied by a numeroiiSi poimlationi, living in comfort- 
able hoar.es, with substatial farm buildings, and wdth funds laid 
aiside, in the stocks of the Canal Company or bonds of the county, 



150 

capaiWe df f'U'rni.sihJmg a start 5n life to tihe son, or a comforitabile 
dot to the diauigiliter, wliem tliey ari-ive at a marriageable agie. 

The mountainous regiiowsi o-f tHie oouinty have not beeo) neglected, 
■but ha.Vie been c-aMied uiix)in to aid in tlie march of progresis. The 
touritst 'has been invitied' to breathe tine pure air a.long the cool and 
clear wateas of the Shamdaken niountain.s and to view the exiten- 
sive and varied vpnospei-t fix>ni Lalv'e i^Iohunk and 'M'inni'waKiki, and 
thousands of ci.ty people es^oape tllie haat oif Suniiner in the oom- 
niodiouis 'hotels tionstiuMitedj foi- their aecoinnniodiat'ion in the moun- 
taini regions of Ulster Couinty. 

In 1805 there Ava.s not a isLngle yard oif irailnoad conistructed or 
in use in Ul'sber County. For lO^-er thirty years this mode of 
travel bad been isueicessfully introduioed ,into the country, and other 
localities had grown up with a busiuiesis based upon the facility and 
speed of railroad travel and transportation; but. Ulster, t'hius faa', 
had not been a'ble to ooniiinand the capital to make use of railroadis 
iai liolding laiid augmeniting its' trade. 

In the ^-leai" referred to an incoa-jjoration' was formed, Wiith pow- 
er to 'Construct a lionse railrioiad between, the tiwo villages of King- 
ston and Rondout, and its ^onipietdon was' witnessed with gi-eat 
•sa.tisf.ajction by the ipeople. During the next y.eair tlh'e Ojegisla- 
taire passed a laiw authorizing tiie counties of Ulster, Delaware 
Greene ciin'd Schoharie to issue bonds to oonstruet th'e Rondout 
and Oswego Raiilroad, and in tIhe following year certaim towns in 
Ulster Couuity were authorizeil to issue bonds for tbe. Wallk'il'l 
Valley Railway. The first jwoject was to give a railroaid con- 
nection witli Lake Ontario, on 'tdie north, and the lines! of travel 
to the AVest; and Ibhe s'pcond to giive a raalroad line to New York 
Cit\' on th'e we^it 'bank of the Hiiklson'. 

The plan of construction adoptedi met 'with an a'ctivc ojjposii- 
t'ion fironi mamy citizens, ami was eonoedienl to be objectionable 
in princip'le and likely to 'be onerous tO' the people, wiia wien"'e to 
a'ssuinie tliie debt. 'But tlie longing of the people for tlhis im- 
proved means of tra/vel, and to be pla^ced in a thoroughfaTc o'f 
businieas, overoaime all objection, and the towns aasiumed thie bur- 
idien. The town oif I'iingston is9ue<l its bonds to the aimount of 
six hundred' thousand 'dollars for the Rondont and Oswego Rail- 
road, and t.wo 'hundi'ed thousand dollars for tlie W'aillkill Valley 
Railwaj'. Other towns along the line a'Sisuuied a pro^wrtionate 



151 

■hurdiPin, and fhe ipn-ojeetis tliiis wndm-.tiaikm ilia.v.& hpen sn'bsta.ntially 
realized, 'to the great bemefit o'f the eoimty i-iii point o^f ootmimercial 
wnstHiiienco, :but yet witdi a debt resiilfcing that is scvei^ely felt 
in; the araiival tax Ie\'y. 

In eatinratinig the benelfitis of tlie raiUroadl* built m< tMa way, 
it 'is propel- to consider, not omly the 'biKsiiiiess gained by tiiem, 
but also that wliioh would ha,v'e! been lost witliout them. Other 
lines of 'railroads had already comaneneed to draw away tihe trade 
firoon K^ingston to other elvannels, and would nnoire and more have 
trenolied upon the importance of this locality. This no^w "has 
,ceas:ed. The itrade diwrted to tlie Albany & Susquehanna and 
tlie itidlan*! Eailroads has been brought back. It i* a great 
pride the people of Ulsteir 'feel in tlh;eir enterpripie that it has 
been cairi^ed through while they wew able to protect themselves 
f.rom tdie wfroairfmient of oth.er localities, and that lit was' not 
left until their bnisinesis :life liad Twan sapped away, and their 
streets desierted entinely by t'h'eir old customers, and their 
strength, like that of Samson, shorn away wMle they sdept. 

The railroad ^system of Ulster County will be yet iuKMimplete 
until Kingiston neclaims the trade of the town off Waiwarsing 
and Sullivan County, once alMe^l to it by^ tte .sihortest- distance and 
most praeticable ront© of travel. A projection of the line of 
railroad mi the west 'bank of thei Hudson will also greatly benefit 
the locality, and Will thus bring back oommercially into one centre 
nil the tem-itory wMch oa'iginally belonged to Ulster County, but 
which has been from various causes disintegrated 'from 'its' terri- 
torial eon-sequence into new counties. Tliis procesBi of diisinte- 
gi-ation was 'st'ill .going on, and .seemed 'likely to take away the 
SoutOiern tJier of towns into a new county to 'be called Highland, 
U'ntil t'he 'oonist ruction of 'the WallkiU Yalley Railway silenced 
discontent, and changed the feelings, of these towns, into close 
friendshi.p for the future i«-ogressi Of Old Ulster. 

The City of Kingston is tihe most reioent event of the history 
of Ulster. It has its oi-igin witliin tlie last decade. It.s charter 
bea.r3 dalte the 2Gth day of March. 1872. It is the twentieth city 
in order of date of charter, bur ranks- as the ninth- in point of 
]>opulation, and the fiftli in business consequence in the State of 
New Yon-k. It compriseis witfliin its lim.it.s tilre t\vx> foirm.eir vil- 
laiges of Kingston and Eondout, which liad grown' up side "by side 



152 

until fcheir adjaieent bounds eoineided. Initima'tely as tih«s« vil- 
ilages were allied 'by business asisociationis, t'liey were yet rii vails 
in feeling and jealous df each oth-er's pnog'reiss. TJneir uuiom inito 
a city was a difficult subject of negotiation, lastinig througih three 
sessions of tlhe Statie Legiislat ure. A coiivpromise was finally 
made, ylielding tlie nainre to Kinigiston, bult giving the political 
-ascendaracji to Rondout. A city go,vei'n!ni ent 'liad, to a certain 
extent, become a necessity. 'A unifomi plan of projectiou of 
streets between tli« two places and a uniform administration of 
tihe governnient made it desirable; 'but the abuses growiing out 
of the poor monies of the town fumiished the most controlling 
lan^guHLents wiliidi operatied in favor of the City Charter. Op- 
■posed to theim were fhe fieaas 0(| an extravagant appiiopriation 
fioir city buiildinigs. This lasit dhjection was quieted by a promise 
that no bundling to be used as a Citiy Hall sHiould be constructed 
Within ten years. This pledge, exacted on. behalf of Village 
Off Kiugston, was not i-neonpon-ated in tlie charter. The eontract- 
ing .partie)s were two easily satisfied by a veiflbal pledge, which 
no one was made responsible for. The pledge was not kept. A 
new City Hall hals been built, as has also a new AIuks House, 
'bofh creditable stru<<tures, ornament's of the cfty,, and evidence 
of an open hand to the unfontunate and tihe poor. Thiey are bet- 
ter adapted in -size to a c-ity of greater growtli; but it ma.y not 
ihave been unwise to provide for a greatly increased population 
in thie near future. The .past progress of fhe city has deajon- 
strat.ed that unless some unexpected cause check Jnerease, it will 
shortly have douliled Its present populatiou. 

The location of Itlie City Hall between tlie business centres of 
.tihe two old villages, upon ground heretofore unoccupied by popu- 
Oation, was objectionable to many for its inoonvenience. In its 
fa\-or it is claim ed that a new populaition will soion, fill in t?ie 
territory surrounding t.he City Hall, and tihat it is centrally lo- 
cated, without partiality to the two rival places. These ex- 
pensive «tructuiT>es produced a ctity debt of about one Ihunidred 
thousand dollars, and added to the otiher public burdens.; but it 
is answered that tlie city owns .fhe pmperty, and that it is a 
debt standing on a 'better baisis tlian tliat of some neii"hborinn- 
cities, whose liabilities do not seem to rest on any substantial 
value received. It may indeed be said with some pride tbat the 



153 

city lias two liarga buiklmgs wit.hoiit notaitle wiaste in. their con- 
sitructlion, adaipted i<o tlie wa-nlts of tine people for .miiay yiears. 

Two distiiigui slued iiiiHtary cliiieftains Jiave beeai, during the 
last oentury, the giiestis Oif Ulst^er County — ^^Vashinigltoai in 1777, 
and Gemerail Gn-'ant, in 1874. It is not inappropriatie in ibhe an- 
nals of thie icounty to- oomineimionate the two 'events. 'Cii'ciim- 
stanoes have tnainispiined to raise the two men, in the military his- 
tory of the .country, to a position of comimanding prominenoe. 
In piome respetots their characters bear compairison. lEaob has 
had the commiand of the anmies o!f the oountry w<hen ttoe mational 
.existence was at .sltake, and retained., during the whole arduous 
9truoi"le. the eonfidenoe of the government annl df thie people, 
which was not weiakened by di3a..«teir or defeat. Each has been 
twice honored with an election to tlie cliiief .exeeultive offioe of th^e 
nation, a.nd each at the closie of itlie second iterm has preferred 
to lay a.9ide ittoe honoi-s and difficulties of official life to become 
a^ain a pl^ivlate citizen of Ms' country. Little given to speaking, 
both have exhibited in official positions good sense and judgment 
and fitness of languiage in their public \\Titings that is not neces- 
sairily taught in the school of the soldier. 

Waishingtton hais passed into hisitory with the title of Father 
of his Country. Gen. Ci'ant will step down and out from' hisi 
high office esiseintially th'e nio.st distinguished man Of his time 
a.s a successful military chief.tain, and '.sairrounded by a poweirful 
band of adherents, atitached to ihim by 'the 'V'igoir of has pensonal 
abilities and the strength of his administrartiion of the govern- 
Dient durig t'WO Presidential terms. 

'The Visit of Washington was nnlieralded, and attended with 
no prepajration. Ulstei- Coamty had raisied four regiments for 
tbe Continental Ai-my, and its chieftain was simiply inspecting the 
efficiency of the force and its power to taike a parit in the ap- 
proaching struggle. Th'd best citizens opened to himi theSr 
houses. 

There is a honsie now standing, in the village of Stone Ridge, 
in the town of ']\ljairbletoWli, biiillt in 1771. It is a Lsolid building 
of stone 'ma'soniy, of ample size for a country gentleman wtith a 
large landed estate. It is finisihed 'witli more elaboa-altle work 
of the joiner ,than buiMingg usually were in that day. The fire- 
places ara orniamented with impor'ted Dutch tile, illnsitTiating the 

20 



154 

Old and New Teigtaaniemt Script uti&s. It ha« eoane dowai' from a 
fiormier oenltiwy, yet preserved in t'lie peculiar arohitiedture of Vhe 
day of its building, ajid attracts tlie attentiioo o'f all .gtirangera' 
visitinig tJlie vicinilty aa a well preserved iielic of the past. But 
th'e TOom ini AvJiich Wasliiiigitioai slept is point etl out as tihici mosit 
attractive amatter of intenestt to the Ajraeriea.n n-itizcn) who knows 
hfe eountfry's hiisitory land luas reverence for her great naantes. 

Th'e Ovei-look C\roun!tain House, whioh has. just .pa.i^s(ed into 
hiptoiy "by the accident of fire, occupied itli^e highesit point of the 
CatskiiU anountains, m plain sight of that iimmense conicourse who 
travel the Hudison ri\-ier by 9(tea,ni'boat, as it offeTOd from it® door- 
way a pa^nioa-aima of Ulsiter Oounity for its (entire original extenit. 
It waia a. not'ed point for all silglht-seevs of tihe world. But it 
was no little aiddition to its oieniouTn' thiat there foa' a brieif period 
had been the sojioum of Geni. Grant. 

There wouldi be little use of history did it nolfc tieaoh lessons 
for the future. Th.e two hundred amd fifty yeao-si which have 
adapsed iSiimce the siettlement in the Esopus are only thie begin- 
niniga of this pros;per©u9 a-nd happy people. The second cienJtm-y 
fTom the eomimien^cement of their histoay as an iodepemdeint na- 
tdbn lojpens with profound' peace, and has tllie pix)miisiei otf ^reat 
achievements anid profuse blessdnigs. 



CONGRESSIONAL SPEECHES. 

BY WILLIAM LOUNSBERY. 

1879. 



ARMY APPROPRIATION BiDL. 
April 2, 1879. 
MR. SPARKS. I now move that the House resolve itself into 

Committee of tihe Whole to iwoceeil witli the eoiislikratioui oi tlie 
Aa-my appropriatiooa bill. 

Tlie motion) was agreed to. 

MR. TO\V!N'iS!END, of Illinoi'.?. I have yielded tlie remaindier 
of my time to tli-e g^iiltlemara irom N^ew York, [Mr. LouiiBibery.] 

]\I1R. LOUNSBERIY. Mr. Ghairmaai, ,tlie greait effont of tlie 
opo^ition has been to avoWd .the merits of the peudinig bill. An 
ingenious criticism of tlie mirttood of -adoptiiig Itihe repeal of the 
objectionable olause in the iprie,semt laiw h:a,3 been madie. A la- 
boned resma-,cli has brought to light faiots upon whJuli to iudiot a 
section of the count-ry. The bloody shiit and the hate which 
antedated the war a>nd whidi d^ yet so much tihle pabulum of ^ par- 
tisian debate ha,ve been, as it sieem® to m«e, .made too prominent 
in the disK-ussion. The phantom o.f la pres-idenlt^kU veto has. also 
belen held up to alaim tlie timid. All thieve consideavations^ are 
foreign from, the issue. They ca.n h.ave no legitimate pla<?e in 
the (disicussion. 

The oivethoil is a mere ques-tion oif practice, which is ailways 
subject to ,eondii!tions, and ra.-ust yield to prihciples Avhidh are vita*! 
and .enduring. Thie ques-tion of a veto is a subject which belongs 
.to .an iindepe.ndent bra©eh of .the Governmeoit, and lit diould not 
influence our aotion here. It cardes with it gi^uve resi>ouBibili- 



156 

ties, wliiieJi axe Ito 'be managed not in a sipirit of pai-tisianBihip, but 
with intdligenee, patriotisan and mo die nation. Tilie iBi^ues' which 
a<nt.edat'ed the waa- and tihe spirit of hate amd recrimination which 
wme a pai-it" of it, should mow 'be relegated fto tJi© period to which 
taiey belong in 'Mstoay. 'The present isubjecit .should be coaisidered 
fro.m the istandpoinit of completed pacification in all -Sitatesi now 
consitJitu'ting oiin country. 

Wh'a't eA-fils, 'let me ask my repiiblicani friends on the .other 
side Off tlie House, aiie likely to result from th'e repeal ? Let us 
bave the whole catalogue of ills. 

The gentleman fiiom ■::Maine regret's t'lie depaniture from this 
House of tliie colored men that once occupied seats on liis si'de as 
Representativesi of Soutiiern States. The "isiolid Soiuth" is aa 
evil that has come upon you during the operaltion of the law, and 
it ds not tibe result of repeal. iSlpeecflies in this House of the 
sectional chaa-acter of that of tlie gentlemaui from :Ma.ine arc well 
calculated to confine repu:blican' successes to a small part of tine 
country. 

Mr. Chairman, it a® not unfrequent in my dastiriet tlia-t the 
peace is bro-ken at an election poll. Within the presenit month 
Ithis happened at a p61I next adjoining the city in which I live, 
and blood was shed. Ttoe feeling as to local matters in the 
-town wiere in that condition 'of intense exjcitement that sagacious 
men for a week l)eforehand pi-ediicted the event. 'Yet I tjiank I 
can safely say that none of the parties interested in that election 
would hiavie deemied it else than a pub'ic outrage had Federal 
troops been ealledi in to prevent oH wippresis the di'stui^bance. It 
ia a fact, I believe, that tliere hais not been present in my dis- 
trict, eitlher before or since tihe enactmenit of the law as^ it moav 
stands, a s.ingle armed soldiei- of the Federal Army to prevent ot 
suppress diBturbance, and I thinik I can say for myself and for 
each of my colleagues from the State off Xew York on either 
side olf this House, that if it wiere now am oiiiginai question, dis- 
connect^ed from party exigency we would find no call .for the 
adoptiion oif a law as applicalble to om- State, jn-oviding for the use 
of the Fekieral Armty to keep the peace at election jiolls. 

In assuming tbi-si I lay out oif the quesition all notion of State 
rights. I will not rmt upon any sentiment 'olf State pride that 
We are able to ipoli'ce and regulate our own so'vereign domain. 



157 

Lilt I put tilie quiesftiiom upon the menace that by couimon oonisent 
is to be impilie'd froan tjlie use of armed troops at tihe palls — a 
feeling iioit commoin to tihds coumt*rj', but whidi wie taikie firom our 
Eng'lisih amces/tors ais well. 

Let me quote on this subject from the first violuimie of Black- 
stonie's Comauentariesi, page 178: 

''And 'ais it is essiential to the very being of Parliament tliat 
eleotions isliould he absolutely free, therefoire all umiue influences 
upon' the leleotors ane illegal andi stiroiilgly prohibited. * * * 
As soon, tli'crefore, as the time and place of election,, ©Itiher in 
counties or 'borouigbs are tixetd, all sOldiens quartered in tlie place 
aa-« to a'eimoivie at least one daiy befone tihe leleotion to the distance 
of two miles lOir more; anid not to return till one day lajfter the 
election is ended." 

This idea is ifully! realized by elementaay writers; in' tJiis 
country. MoOnary, in liis Amieilican Liaw of 'Elections', ait oection 
418, says: 

"Thepe can,, liowever, l>e no "doubt but that, tihe law loobs with 
great disfavor upon anythiimg like am init'erferenee by the military 
with' the freedom of an election. Aai armetd foirce in the neigh- 
borhood of tihe 'polls is almosit of necessity a menace toi the v-otei's 
and an intierf erence with their fneedani and ind'ependence;, and if 
such anmed force be in the Mndis of o-r under the control of the 
partisan frienids of a'ny particuhir candidate, the proibability of 
improper influeaiice beconiies still stronger." 

He then quoties the caise of Giddings vs. C'lank, a contested 
cate in the Forty -isecon'd Congre«j«':. 

"On the day of election tihie town w-liere tihe election Mas 
lield \\a,s occupied 'by an- aaimeid force uutlei- commanil of one Cap- 
tain Eidhardison. 'Picket's were isltationeid ou' all the roads leading 
into tihe town, and persons coming in to vote wiene obligeU. toi ob- 
tain a pass from the military authoritiies. Althouglh the wit- 
nesses 'Sny th'at all voters were ipeiimlitted toi come an'd go in peace, 
and tihait the fa-eedmen were vinged to vote, yet it liis clear that 
they abstained from doing so for reasonis wihieh most mem eon- 
Biider good and isufficient. 

"Tho comuiittee of ttli'e House reijortdd tih'e opiniiou t'liat this 



158 

was noifc a fnee arid fair <eleotion, and ithat it was no ainswer to 
'Say that the anilitary were stationed around the 'polls to preserve 
the peace amid to selcure freediom to all voters." 

iMcCrary. oiteia itihiis EnglisJi caae: 

"As early as 1741 an afcteuipt was made fo interfere Wkh an 
election held for the city of We^itminBter, by stationding a body 
of armed isoldieiis near the poUs. On this being shown to the 
Hjouse olf Comimonsi, it was by that bodiy resiolved .that the presence 
of a regular ibody of aiimed soldiers at an eleotion of 'membeite to 
serve in /Parliament is a high infiringeinent of the 'liberitaes of the 
subjeot, a manifest violation of the fiieedom of eledtions, and an 
open defiance of the .laws and consttitultion of tihis kiugdbm." 

I am aware that th'ere has lately been a political crisis in 
Fravnoe. lit was diemartded of Presiiklent LMcMahon tiliat he should 
remove tlie <3omma<ndting general of the army to 'be repla.eed) by 
one \vho;se j)oliticiil viewis ■coniformed to the advauiieed republican- 
ism of tlie Niational Aisfeiauilbly. 'JVldMahoni was unwilling to yield 
to Siudi diemand and nesigned hie office. I may be permitteid to 
iexpres(s a doubt as to the solid hold of the now prevailing paiTty 
ui>on the free will of the French people lif their power is depend- 
ing upon the favor of the army-; and aididiresising myself tO' the 
other side of tihis House, I would a.sk if their anxiety upon this 
queistion is not ini.i>oitted from the isituation in Frainioe? .The gen- 
tleman from Ohiio who opened the debate on that slide (and is 
followed in the same sityle by othens) has uttered the most 
gloomy pnedietioinis of the future to itliis country from the adop- 
tion of thie lamemdmenit now peuding in the committee. 

It is latyiled a revolutionary mieasui-e. it will starve out tlie 
life of the eountrj-, it is said. It isi the picture of our ship of 
state drifting uixmi breakers and to sure dositruction': 

"Then isihrieked the timid, and stood .still the bra.ve." 

This uinbroken howl of dlftspair which comes up from t'liie otiher 
isi'de, as buit the utteranioe of thie idea of the French Aisisembly. 
They mnst liaAie the Army at tfhe ipolls. Pa.rty needs are imnAi 
that tbey ca^Miot part with coercion. They Ciill upon the execu- 
tive branch of the Government to intervene to s'ave the last rem- 
nant of departing njowef. 

The violent op^wsitiou on tUiis floor to th© repeal of the ob- 



159 

je^^tionablo wm^Js -of tire Ia;w as it now ista.nicls, as viaw exhibited, 
i^ a danio-er and iniena<>e from wihicih it is not too siooni to iseeui-e 
the eoirnitnyi 

Mr. Oiai'mnan, I a-ni indivlgimig for myfeielf no mch. glooimy ex- 
pectations ai3 a:re foi-esihia'do'wedi by the oipi>osition. I ann not 
■expecting, as I have no inteneist in ua-ging, a veto of the pending 
bill. I miay safely aidvaiice a compliraent to itttie imtelligemioe of 
'the Executive. There can be iinade no constitutiona.l oibjection 
to the bill. The right of Congress to regulate thie uise^ of the 
Arany is clearly expresised in tihe Constitution. Tlve right wa^s 
exercised without question upon the pa.ssage of tOie law in 1805, 
uipom whichi this ameinidment is to 'be ingra'fteid. 

He can find no difficulty with the question ais a tnneasure of 
policy. If he be not go^-^iinieid by the precedientis to whichi I have 
referred, wfliy should he not heeid tbe Congresisional (majority, 
lately from the people, whose will it wais chosen to 'represent? 
If 'he yield to the claims of thie situaition a,s' preisewtied to him 
by his paa-ty .friiernds afli<i use his pow-^r to retain for paa^ty use 
this element of coercion, this .menace to free electiom, the people 
will asisient tlhat will which is the isupreme law in a ipopular gov- 
ernment; 'Will a.ssert it not by revoltitioniary or irregular meth- 
lOds;, but by that decisive vohume of expression at the .pollis whieh 
will rendcT coercion a.nd fraudulent loouratimg entirely out of the 
question to change or mioklify the result. 

What the people demand of this Congn'&ss and of each 'branch 
of this Government is the right to expreiss their wishes in an 
election freely and without coercion, '•unibribed by faivor a>nd un- 
awed by power." 



GOLD AXD SILVEtR CERTIFICAfi'iElS. 
May 17, 1879. 
:M!R. LOUN'!=5BEiRY submitted the iPoJloiwing amendimpnt, which 
was ordered to be printed in the Record: 

"Strike out tflie eighth ^section oif the Will,, which, with the 
aimendments reported Iby t-he Ooiinimittee on' Ooinage, Weiglhts and 
Measures, is sxb foUo'wis; 



160 

"See. 8. Tlvat section 254 of tli^e Revised Stua.t'utes of tlie 
Unitied Stat'es be amended' so as to read, as foUows: 

"Sec. 2M. fTihe Seeret'arij^ Of Wie Treasniry is" aoitlioi-'ized. and 
required to reee'Ive dejjosits o'f goW or silvier icoin and igold or silver 
iJullion, with tihe Treasxirer' or any a'Ssisitan't treasurei* of the 
Unibed 'Staites, in sniniiSi nidt lesfs tilian $20, and to issue certificate 
therefor, in defnoindnations of not iesis bhan $5 eadli, coresjjioniding 
wit'h ithe d'enoimiinations of the United ISbabesi moites. Th© coin and 
'bullion deposited for or representing the certificatesi of deposit 
slialil be 'retained in the Treais'iiiy for the payment oif the same 
on demiand. L\nd) certificates representing oin in the Treaisury 
miay be isiSiued in. payment olf interest on th'e (jnibliic debt,, which 
certificatesi, tolgieltber with those issoied .for coin and bmilion de- 
posited, shalii not at any time exceed 20 iper cent, bej'ond the 
amolunt of coin and ,buillion: in the Treasiiry; and the certificates 
for coin and buMoin in the Treaswry siiall be rieceived' at par in- 
payment for lall dues to the Uniitetd iStatets, inichiding duties on im- 
ports, and may- be coiniJi>uted as part of the law'fuil money -resenve 
of natSonal bankis." . 

CNfR. LOUN^SBEiRY. Mr. Speaker, I must necessarily oppose 
the amiendment of the gentleman from Illinois, [fMr. Springer.] 
Though less objectionable in^ degree, ft oo-nltainis tlie same element 
of evil a® section 8 of the bi'll, as to- which I have submitted an 
amiendment to strike out the whole section. Seictiion 8 author- 
izes the issaiing by the Treasury of gold and siilver .eertificates. 
The amendment pending also provides for like certificates. In 
that respect it is not germane to- the question of coinage. It 
is a part of a financial or credit sdieme. It belonigs to a class 
of measures adioj^ted during, the war period asi expedients to 
raise monejy on onedit. 

We have (passed the period' for suchi exipedients. An era of 
peace no-w lasting miore than ten yearsi .sbouH introduce us to a 
diflferent elasis of lam-s. Dou'btful expedienitsi are ai tiracs- pru- 
dential meai3xire.s; but that aijiii>lies to desperate situations. It 
does not aipply to the presient situatioim of oinr Governiment, fvvihich 
is now in '.stiioh excellent credit at home and abroad that ordinary 
bonds are in very great deman<l. Tiieie is- no reaisiQn now that 
the public debt should be so variegated in kind and color as the 
needs of th'e war required. 



161 

I ihaiv^ examined: the podigree of thp eu'gibtih seotion. It is sec- 
t'ion 254 of tJie Revisieid Stiatuites with the word, siihier inlterpolnted 
so as to put silviea^ Ibullioii aiildi aoin fertifica-tes in itihe siame situa- 
tion as igokl. iSeiction 254 of the Revised! Statutes is isieotion 5 
of itilie act of '^lardi 3, 18G3, oiititiled "An 'aictt to- .providle ways 
and nieaU'Si for the suipporb of the Government." Tliat act pro- 
vided for an isisue of Tjondisi, Treasu'ry not'es, ■oei'tti'fioates of in- 
debteilinese, and. for issuing one 'hundireid land fifty millions in 
Unitied 'Stiatesi notes to pay tihe Arany. It levied a duty on 
Lianlc droulation amd deposits. It Avas a 'war imeaisure and can 
furnisih no precedent for .tihe«ei timieis of peatoe. 'It. is' tbought 
'by s'ome that tihe section referred to iwias nnoicle'lied' after a pro- 
visaon in tlie. minting a<?t which provideis for a certificate for 
'bullion dqwsits ait fhei Mint. It is true that tliese oei'tifieates 
were tiiauBfenalble, and were in fact us.ed asi exdiiamge in trade. 
(But .they were not Government oertDficateiS'. They weire only 
receipts for 'bullion to ibe paid in spelcific buillion or coin from the 
Mint. (See act February 12, 1873, siection 4.) 

I am infonnied t'hat section 254, which provides^ for gold cer- 
tiflcat.e3, has not been in uise since the war pe'd'od, and tlie: gold 
coinage has Ibeen carriieidi on under the 'minting laiws: as tihey were 
revisied in 1873. 

'T'he fifthi siect'ion in the la;\v of 1863 'wasi adt>pted to get out 
more paper ibased on tiie goikl that came into the Treasury. It 
was aai expedient to' ra'isie .money. It- cotuld liaA'te no otiher pur- 
pose. It is not needed' no'w, when tbe Government has a plctihora 
of availalb'le fnu'dis without sutoh expedJient. At this timie our 
national finances are not. in emlbarraissment. The Government 
'hasi resumed specie paymentiS. A new suspension can only hap- 
pen by ineru'ring extra on-dinaiy expenses! or by the creation' of a 
demand indebtednesis, which may (be called' unexpefltiedly and in 
la.rge amounts'. These eei'tificateisi would constiitiute such a danger. 

Our tTad'e wiithi foreign' countries' isi now in healthy condi- 
tion. 'We have a balance of trade, fro'm the most 'healthj' pos- 
sible source., Ourt agriculturail prodxictiousi fowni the souroe 
whidh m'ay ibe natairally expected in this oountiy to 'be large 
whien in healthy operation. 

Mr. Spea'ker, I do not betong to either party nnging or antag- 
onizing silver coinage. I db' not 'believe that the prosperity of 

21 



163 

the people depends upon a bimietialilic isyistem, nor do I Ibelieive 
tilia.t itihe iaibric of the pixblio credit Avilil fall inito he'lpless col- 
lapse, iinliess iwe adhere to a monomeltallic sitandard. In eonsid- 
eriiig the qiieistion of a cinoulating mediiun — 

Medio tuti'SiSiLmiis ibis, 

or a position soime\\'lhere Ibetween the two extreme tlwories may 
'be at 'tihiSi time the safeslt. 

Alt'ius egressiiS' coetesitia tecta fremialbisi 
Infei'iiiiS' terrais. 

The people are noifc disieomtented, asi has been stiid. There 
are cases of ■siuffe'ning from a temporarily ileran'ged condition of 
raanufoictiiire.s. But tihiei''e is no^ wanti amioing tillens' of th'e soil 
■except such' as^ may result from- ill-h-aaLbh, shiftlesisness, or ex- 
travag-anee, or tilve incubus of the 'war dcibtis. We cannoit legis- 
latie away these ills. The people are natairailly contented during 
demoeraitic rule. Populaai 'liberty isi the great boom ftve are 
bound to keep siecure to the people, and while this is g^uard'ed tJiey 
■may be trusted ■to work out' the problems' of bread-iwd'nning and 
propierty iaicquisition and busincsis thrift. 

There may b© ^a^ lurkinig daniger irii thie bill, as to which its 
friende baive not been able to 'put my mind at rest. Silver is 
noiw very, cheap. 'Xo one can sa^feily -say how the future price 
will be. It depends upoa tibe amount olf isilver exdstiing and beinig 
produced. Writers differ very large'ly in est'imat'ing both factors 
in the computation. ^^^ile it is unknown, even io an approxi- 
mate extent, how ■m^uch gold 'and silver isi istoired in the com- 
mercial world, lailll aiction based upon such computation! must be 
dangerous, for its unice'ittainty. 

We musit not legislate againsit the interesits ■of the Goveirn- 
ment. It belongs to the wliole people, and if by our a.otion the 
people siiffer a loss, they will a^nd should hold uis responsible, 
because it aniist be borne by the people. It cannot be shifted off 
their sihoulders/ upon' the President or ■the Cabinet or tbe individual 
•membei-s 'Of 'CongresiS. Tlie blaime may be (placed there, but the 
burden of the los-s ■must be boru'e by the people, who eoinstitute 
the Government and create au'd own itis ra^ouroes'. The Govern- 
m'onit is now buj'ing cheap silver; perh'ap'Si it. wasi 'mever cheaper 
as a commodity. The coin resulting from these 'piM'ohases is 



163 

very ilibely to i-emrain wor'fcli itiSi cosit unideir aid Wie oOinitinigeuoies 
thai, miay ibapipeo. 

If tlie isilv.er isitoired in 'this- t'ouiiitry ami wrn'ong foreigm maftioMs 
and t'lie productions of .tiie ininies are to toe dumiped ibodily into 
tlie Goverimient vaults, at part of tilie 'Govei-nmenti sitanclardj I 
am not p'Peipared to say tliat the people 'will not suffer heavy 
loss T^y tbe dieipreciatioin on so large a stock. Buit I am njot dis- 
cussiing tlhat subject, i am deprecating the effect of the eightli 
section. It .m.ake3 the Government Treasuryi a huge ibank of 
issue wpoa the 'basis of iitsi coin. This coin siliould' Ibe held re- 
ligiousily, ho-nestily, a© security for tlie 'redeimpition of tbe United 
•States n'otiesi now in cireuiaition. It is only so- we can maintain 
resumption. It iis un'vvisei — I tiilinik it oriminlal — to destiroy tbe 
coin reseiwe 'as a trust fund to the hoWeris of the Goverament 
paper money 'by creating a now liability in tbe form of certificate's 
for wbieb it is pledged. 

Eom'6 ifrom its ifoimding 'by Eomukis for fiwe bundl-ed years, 
If bisitory isi any guide, delivered no battle to its enemies and 
undertook no great matter of public administration unless the 
augurs were first consmltal. iThe generial idik.! not engage 'hfe 
troops nor the stiatesman frame a declaratioiu of war unless be 
was guided) by tlie fligilit of 'birds or tbe visicera of tbe sacrifiees. 
It is W'ell toi Ibeiieve as we read sucb bisitoiy, in ithe ligbfc of the 
ooritinaied growtb of tbe nation, tbat the priests who examined 
tbe auisipicesi were itbemselves tbe most learned of tibe patrician 
order. 'Tbey tmiusit bave knowin t'lie facts existing and the 
sitiiiation of tbe hostile forces. It is neoesisiary, to believe that 
tlie wisidoim of tbe prieslts did uiucIl to' enlighten tbe interpreta- 
tion of tbe manifeisitation of tbe gods' in wbieb tbesie peopies put 
tQieir faith. I would not have the ministers at this altbar of 
tbe poeple act less wisely in the interpretation of the auguries. 
It may not be wise tio- embark in the experiment of this measure, 
unlesis we ean firsit iknow tbe fiaiotoirs and sitrengtb of th^e forces 
upon iw'hicb suiooess' or failure is to deipend. It is certainly 
unwisiB Ito give, 'asi iwe will Iby eniacting tbei eigbtb section of tbia 
bill, a largje ad'dStion to tbei power noiw beld by itbe Treasury to 
do a banking business upon the coin i-eserve intended to be beld 
as a deposit against tbe United Statesi notes now outstanding. 



164 

• TEAKE DOLL'AiRS. 

June IS, 1879. 

Mr. LOUXiSBEEY. I send, to lUne Clerk's desk a motion re- 
duced to ■■WTi-itinig, wilriehj I abalL lask to -be considered 'by^ the 
House at the praper tinne. 

iT'he Clerk read, as lollfows: 

"Ordered, That ttoe bill l>e rcfea-red to the Committee on 
Bankinig and Currency." 

'ilr. LOUNSBiEIRY. :\lr. Speaker, 1 have discovered Ujpon an 
examination of tlhis question that there are difficulties attending 
the subject wliidi oamnot 'be reaichcd iby an amendment of the 
'bill. I therefore propose to submit the motion whichi ihas 'been 
read 'by the olerk. 'Thait motion is not proimpted by^ any dis- 
respect .for tlie Comiuuttee on Coinaige, AVeights and :Me'a'Sures, 
or any want of oonlidenee in that committee, from' which lUiy dis- 
tinguislied friend, its ohairma'tt, has r.eported tihis 'bill. In order 
to present mjy point distinctly, I will ask thie Clerk to. read a 
poition of section. 3520 of the Revised Statutes. 

T'he Clerk read as follows.: 

"Any ow.n.er of silv.er .bullion may deposit the same at any 
mint, to he formed into bars or into .do'lla.risi oif the weight of 
•420 grains troy, designated in this tiitle as trade-dollars." 

Qlr. LiOUXiSBERY. That provision is from the statiute of 
1873, which authorized the unlimiited coina.ge of (bullion into 
these trade -.dollars. I now ask tlie Clerk to. read section 2 of a 
joint resoLutiooi' of July 22, 187U. 

'The Clerk read as follaw.si: 

"iSec. 2. That tihe iti-ad'e-dollar shall not hereaftier Ibe a legal 
tender; and tlio Secretai-y: .of the Trea-sury i-s liere*by authorized 
to .limit from timie to tim'e the <;oinage thereof to sudh an amount 
a.s he .may deeim s.uilieient to meet the export demand of tlie 
same." 

iMr. JjOUXSiBERY. I call attention, to the fact that though 
Co.ngTescs in 1873 provided for an uulimiited coinage of trade- 
dollars, it siulbsiequently, 'by joint resolution, of <J'Uly 22, 1870, gave 
.the Secretary of the Tivasiiryi power to limit t.he coinage of these 
trade-doiUars to the aot.ua>! demands oif commerce. 

Xovv, in connection wdtlh tihese two pro'visioiis of law, look at 



165 

the amouuit to which these dbilkriS' have been coined wit'hin the 
k'st few years. In 187G, 'tlie year in which this limit'Oitiou on 
the part of the 'Secretai-y oif tihe 'Treaisuiy 'wasi autlhoriaed, there 
were coined 0,132,050 of these .tradte- dollars.; in 1877, 9,102,900, 
attid in 1878, 11,378,010. It will ho oteerved tihiat 'fro,ni the time 
•tihat: the Sec-ret'ary of t.he Treasury was. auithiorized by a joint 
resolution df Congress- to limit the eoinaige of these dollars, tlnere 
hasi been a raipM inloreaso in tlie ainoUin!t dl tHiis coinage. 
Though he w-ats authorized to limit this' desicription' .of coinage 
so as 'mereily tio meet th-e deniaimls of comnreree, we find tlvat 
during the lasit year he authoiized the coinage of $1.1,000,000 of 
this currency. Yet we ane told in t'his debate, and I believe the 
■fact is. reported by tine Direiotior of .t.h,e Mint, that there are only 
between .six and seven anillionis of these t.rade -.dollars now in this 
C0untr.y. Xiow, if the demands of commerce are absoi-^bing this 
coinage so rapidlji that, a.lthougih during the lasrt .yeixr eleven 
million .trade-dollars, were coined, on'ly, $0,000,000 of thisi cui-rency 
is .now left in .the oounitry, wliy is it necessary .at this time, at 
the end of this extra session, to interfere with this coinuige? 

:Mr. FIS'HBR. ^MU the gentleman allow me a single remark? 
As I stated, tihe object of this bill is simiply to gat.her in the few 
inillions of tranlie-doillars ^oaffcerdd thirough this country. Can 
tihe gentleman indicate any way .by which tbis. fo.rm of emreincy 
can gio to iCVina except by 'thie bill as I .propose to amend it ? 

Mr. LOUNSB.ERiy. I am not speaking on that sulbject. it 
will he observed that tbe last clause of the bill reiported by the 
committee propo.ses to give to th.e Se.cre't.ary of t.he Treasury the 
power to stop the further coinage of the trade-dollar. AVby 
should we iu' this way restri..t th.e power of tbe Se.cr6tary of tbe 
Treasury, when by the joint resoluit'on of 1870 he 'Wtas authorized 
to .limit the winiag.e to the .dcimian/Jis. ©.f trade? 'NMiy n'onv deprive 
him of that authority? 

From tbe bill tihcre can. be inferred only one of two proposi- 
tions: either it is intended to autlnorize an unlimiteid coinage of 
the .standa-rd dolla.i-, or els.e it is int.ended to .deprive tbe Secretary 
of tlie Treasury of itbe o.ption wbich he now has. to allow the 
coinage of tbe trade-dlollar to the extent justified by the demands 
of commeree. 'Puttiing either construction upon the bill, I am 
opposed to it. i , 



166 

oMi-. WARiNiEiR. Is the .iaecretairy of the Tieasiii-y. causing any 
of itlie itrad'C-dolkrs to be coined' now ? 

]Mr. LOUNiSBERY. I assiume tliat under tlie joinit resolution 
o'f July 22, 1876, be is coining suilicieivt to meet tbe demands 
of commeice. 

Mr. WL^R'XER. Tbie gentleman will allow me to call bis at- 
tention ito an ex)tmcti from a recent intervieiw of tbe Secretary 
of tbe Treasury with the Commititee on Ooinaige, Weigibts and 
Measures': 

"Question. Is tb.ere aay longer any object in coining that 
piece at all for .private parties? 

"The Seciietiaij. Ko, sir; and I slbould refuse to db it noiw 
if sudi au applioaition were made.' 

Mr. LOUXS'BEIRY. Tbe answer which the Secretary there 
makes does mot change tbe situation which he occupies under the 
joint resolution of 1876. !By .that enactment be is authorized to 
permit the coinage so (fax .as' to meet tbe demiands of commetrce. 
Now, wibat objedtion has the com.mittiee to our m^anufacturing 
itbeste ooinis to be oised, in Obinia? I undereltood the gientlemian 
from Ohio [ilr. Warner] to say that there has been and is; a oon- 
sbant, a continual demand for coins of itbis kind, to be used in 
Ohina, where tbey ar.e clipped and marked 'for the puiiposes of 
trade, and a,re used according to their bullioui value. 

iMir. WAilKlDR. Is it necessary (to coin isalvel- pieces oif 420 
grains in otdev tliait (tbey inlay be divided and mieted up in 
China? Will not pieces of 412y2 grains^ dO just as well? 

Mr. LOUX'SBiERY. I am not arguing as' to tbe necessity for 
creating such .a coin. I am simply s^'ing that this difficulty 
■whicli we now meet in connection with our cui-reocy cannot 
properly be dbviated in tbe manner proposed iu this bill. And, 
Mr. .Speaiker, I now come to .the particular point which I have 
made under my motion. 'The design of this coin undoubtedly 
•came oi-iginallyi from itJie Committee on Coinage, Weights and 
Measures, and it vvas^ a proper fiuiictionj of that committee; but 
■aifter it had pa-sised into circulation, and became a part of tbe 
currenoj- of the country, if it weire of any use beve, then from 
that 'time forth it seems to me this, subject no longer belonged 
legitimately to tbe Committee on Coinage, Weights and Meas- 
ures, but was' a 'pTopex subject to be considered by tbe Committee 



107 

on Banking anxi Currency. And I very much "eirret the gentle- 
man from Hilinois [air. Fort,] who introduced his hill and wtio 
was a memlber of the Committee on Baniking and Currency, should 
not have seen that it was sent to that committcie. 

I adtaJt, sir, tihis trade-dollar no.\v forms an. emibarrassment 
in our currency. I haive in my district 'ba«k officersi who tell 
me it wag in their way, emlbarrossing their operations and loading 
their oount'ers; and if tliere be a hidden meaning in this hill by 
which there shall he unlimited coinage and exchange of trade- 
dollars, so as .to result in the unlimited issue of standard dollars, 
then I am satisfied no bank officer in my disitrict woutld a.sk me 
to support it. 



•BAXiK EiBSBRVES. 
January 21, 1880. 

The .SPBAiKER. The moraing hour beg'i.ns a't 11 mLnutes 
past one o'clock p. m.; and the House nlow resumes the <(iowsid- 
emtion of the bill (H. R. N*©. 2715) reqiiiring tihe reser.vies of 
na;tional banks to 'be kept in gold 'an!d 'silrer ct^ins df the United 
States, repoi+ed frolm tIhe Oommititee on Bamkinig and Currency 
by the gentlleman fran Missouri, [:Mr. Buckner.] The gentle- 
man fcitom New York, [^h: Lounsbery] is entitled to the floor. 

Mr. LOUXSiBERY. M'r. .Speaker, the bill under considera- 
tion .may be briefly fonmulated 'ais a semi-statutory resiulmption 
by the banks. It is unobjectiomable in principle, if it be not an 
(^bje<>tion always to aet by ha.lf mieaisuo-es. I myself woaiM .have 
preferred tihait the bill sto'ouM have provided for tihe entire re- 
eierve oif 'tvlie bauks to l>e bald in coi.n, t-hus making an entire re- 
sumptii'on by the baiiks. 

It is albout one year since by sibatuite the Fedenxl Govenmneint 
.resumed. It is bigih time fchalt (the banks resumedi. 'lb is time 
that the imlividiuafe resaimed, paying debt 'in vaihie instead of 
paying debt in promises. The bill, to me, does not .5»eem. to l>e 
esipecially opera!tive or effedtual. The banks in my (^lUy today 
are paying gold anid siilver criin, ndt only in tbe .piiymemt of tflveir 
debts to .dlepiosiitbns, but to person.s -wilto ap[>l\' for -loa.nis, if they 
volunta.rily take com insitead of paper, While this bill, there- 



168 

fore, att thie timie ft -was firsit initiroicMeecl at the pxtira session, 
might Waive ibeem opera'ta\-ie amll effedtuiail, it ean no lojigeii- be so, 
because by tflae ip'ria'cltic-ie «f the baniks 'at thfe 'fci'mei thiey 'are pay- 
ing, •\A-Qiiea3i tlie eretliitiO'r will voiluntadly receivie it, dm giold ami' 
silver eoin. 

I prbpysie 'to attlldir'O.si'.s luiy'SieLf lloir u fclw iiiiMaiiealtiSi ito 'tlie bis" 
•tbi-'y of aieisaimiptioiii. 1 ihia.ve hieaitl iiitidi' crediti takem by 
the pne'sent AcHminislt'iiaitiioin, Iby the present 'nramigiens otf the 
Govexmnmii finiaiiiic'<^s, for briniging 'aibout reisump'tion. In my 
opintiow iiesii'mlptJon mlas ndt oa/uised !by firtanidal raiaiMgelm.einit nor 
by adimiinistr'ative tadt, bu't it ttume ahmiit 'by aii.ighitiea- icaiisies. 
Websltier, in liiis reni'ainl<aib]e expre^isiiion of eiilogj' to iraimilt'on, 
said: "He siiTolt'e ^the no-ek of t'lii? n'aitioniail a-esomicesi amd nbmii- 
(iant sltreiaimis- gushieuli ifointlh; 'hoi ;touolieid the dea'd oor,pisiei oif tlie 
pu'blac or'ekliTt anid it sipirxing ujwn itis feiet." I unldefisitandj that 
the frien'ds olf the Adniindsltiia'tibn! have enltlie'aA-fored to ajjipropriate 
the sam-e Mnlgivtogei a.nid apply it Itio 'tllne .piieisenit hcaul of our 
national finainicels. It ds aio pleasant itaslv to ibie an itoniclasit, and 
yet I e^te'elm it a duty to break th'Ssei igOKlls isieit iip ifoa- ^bh& people 
to iwoiishlip. It ivvias neftheT IHaimilton nor Shermlan tlnat broiaght 
•about pi^oispei^ity aradl iie3uimi})ltioii to the Hepiiblic, leither in the 
■&ayB of Haimi'lltbni or ini the day is olf our present Seeretaiiy of tlie 
Treasury, The dountry Uas 'been movcid by m'ore po'tients ftwsies, 
l>y ciausieis 'moo-e ipoweilful (tihian the laimtp o'f Akiddlin or the .purse 
of Forltuniatuisi. A chaniged c^onddttion, of natibnal laflPaiiris bro^uiglit 
al>out inesamiption; not only the albiUty to resiuime, but res'ump- 
tion itsielf. The. luxu'ry of the peoiple bred dm-ing the war period 
on the hligih- prices df th'at dhy iwiiS' ciiaiinged for sii'iuplei liiabits 
dlw'ing depneslsion. 'The ilm,^>ortWtiloni of foredgni goodte into this 
eonntoiy -wiaisi tJlius oheckeld, andl tlh-e r'esdult- wasi one po'w'einfuil eaatse 
looking to better timies. 

We can lall i^emelmiber tih'e time whien thei oplpois'ing armieiS 
flwopt down and baek thiroug^li thie Sh'enondoalh A^alloy wRh the 
ebl) and flow oif 'nvilitlary succs'sis. The gno\\iing fraidts land grain 
orops 'Were nidt only desitrojied ibirt the laceuimulationisi of wealth. 
Tire larmiesi tJlien engagierl in desltrvidtdo'ii 'a're' now ipnodmcing 
vailueis. Tho people who wen-e then.' icngagoVi in 'teairdnig down 
the earnings of j-iears haAie for Ithe paisit fifteen years^ engiaged 
in reistor.iDig wiaisit'e-plaiceis and in aiding to refelulme. 



169 

'My «wn Stote of Xew York Was im;w just tiormllnatfcoid' Ave 
yM,m iof clMiilociialtic mile, to tflmt timie Wier'e Wa^s Ix^en a sttiay 
of eoiTui^tdon in office, a reltiim to gaod goverrtimenit, and an; hon- 
est aidininistiraition of tihe pu'bMe AMorks. 'Tine jnnsom, Avlhadh by 
vvais.t.ef(ul ina.n'alg>ettiien!fc :lia(l lw««'m'e an iinieuibus' upon Uw pros- 
perity of the State, Wave been maide Ito ipriodliioe aw incbm* equal 
to their expenses. The irate of 'taxation ha« 'been tl^draasied.- even 
while a.dni<inislt'raitive wrsKlom hkiis been wiping out tUne State 
delbt. I can iholVl up th^e S'taite of New Y'ork as an akllmim.ble 
exhibition «f the fruits df good .goverom'ent. iFree'dbmi ifrom 
ileibt, with 'Stlat^ tkises lone-half ^Of what 'tlhey were five yeans 
a.go, makm <m« <^i the great: eaanses leading to reisaimption and 
enahling the dountl^y to ni'aintaini it. But yet, considering these 
fa^ts, I hear my republi'mn fi^iends speaking to thiemiselves and 
to othiei's in the lAmaise which wia:s spoken: to. 'the apple— "HoiW 
we apples siwilm"— with^out kno;\ving that, it is this powenful 
cun-enlt of catuis^cs which has pnoducedi restiinilption anld enabled 
US, to mainit'aiin Tt, inssteiad oif adoitinfetWtivie 'alhility, as they 
make thie c.l'aiim, 

Mr. .Speaker, I deslire now tliat the Olej-k shall read th^e T>iH 
which I shall offof avs a. ^substitiiite, if a, proper 'oecaisilon is pre- 
■.9ent.ed. to th« pending Mil. I have stated thwt the ftiiilnTCi olf 
the prelsienit bill is. tihklt^ it is a. ha;M nieasaire olf neiSium^Dlti'on. 

Th'e 'one I now propose t'o have read in its stead I thinik is a 
bill wfluVh ooverfe the entire case^-'a. blill that is enti,ne1y effeetual 
and coniplelte in the line of re'smnfytdon, not owly M- thie 'banks 
but for indiivJduals asi we'll. 
Tih''e Clerk read as foTlOwis: 

[Foirty-istixfcb Conlgness, first, .sesisibn.] 

H. R. No. 1423. 

IN TME HOUSE OF PuEPORiEBENlTATTyES. 

May 5, 1879. 

Read twice, 'Hefenred to the Oamiin:?ttee on Banking and CWrrency, 

and) ordiered to be printed'. 

Mr. Loiinslbery, om leave, offered the follolwinig bill: 

A BILL 
To repeal -seWtiions 3588, 3580 ankl 3590 of tthe Revised StataiteR. 
Be it enacted by the iSenate anld Hou«e oi Repi^ds^-ntatives of 
bhe Uaited States of Amerfa in Oon-giiess aas«tolbled, That Bee- 

23 



170 

tion® 35SS, 3580 'a.md 35f>0 df itHiie R^vis^e'd Sta'tnties, miakiing United 
St'ates notes and! Treasinry riotes. -a legfal' tenider, aite .herdby, re- 
pealed. 

:VIlr. LOUXSEBRY. Tli.e .pu,rpos"e df t'liisi Wl ds' to repeal 
tihe tihree siection's of tOie Eevaised. Staltiutes' as tlliey niow, sitia-nid 
maikinig Uni'ted! 'Stiaitesi notes anid Tneiaisuiy mdt'eis a leg'al tender 
for detot. < 

(The 'bill undei: oonisideratTOn, as Jt nom" stianOis, is liairimless in 
lbs lan'gira.gie land 'foami 'because it is dwnwii as an 'amiendiment to 
a isit(atiultie wihldh was nepeiailed. in 1873 'bj'i th© einiactimienit of the 
Reviised Statutes. The biU wliiclii I ofl'el- 'as a tstubsltit'Ut« .wall 
Tjring a^bouib the enltire aind eonipkte puTpoisesi of the pending 
bill ajild tabe aiwa.y what I 'elainn to be oibje'CtdOna.blei features oif 
tlhe Revisi'edl Stlattutes as tdiey noiw. st!and. if we repeail tihe 
legfal-t'ender feature of tine Revised Stataitiesi we ireturn to bhe 
coiiisititaitSonial momey wliicli existed' befone tSie 'war. 

!A diemoieratie igim^iernor df tlie Stalte o'f New, York recom- 
mended in his mieS'Siage tdiat tlie State sihould ndt delpairt froim 
eonistituti'onlal money and that tHie 'intieirest on tUne iStaite bonds 
should (be paid in ic'oin, notlttiitlliistianiding tih'e coin preimium. He 
thus necoignized tihe dbligation 'df tine Idebt 'Wihioh 'was creiatiedi by 
the t'ext of itihe fbonids. He recotgnizdd tlbei ifadt thlat 'Wlhien the 
State ibbirrowed' the money of the people it promised ifcoi pay in a 
money thtfit had* air aetual amd in'brinsife \''a;lue. He aasente'd the 
diototrine that thea-e .\Mais no la.w wlliieh (^ouW "he paisseld by Con- 
gress oi'' by any other power that- could reilieve t.he 'State of Niew 
York frdm itis obligation to pay 'itls 'd'e'bt iwrth va'ue instead of 
paying it in pr'omlises.* 

During 'tliie entire history oif th'e iContirof^ierisy iwhether the 
United States notes were a donistitaitionall miomey or not, tihe 
democratic paiiy in the Stat'e of ,Xew, York, and I believe il^he 
democi'latie par'ty in national Convention, hlave alwaysi adhered to 
the thietory tihat there was Tilo ix)iweir in the Oonsititutioni to de- 
claitte a proimSsie money; that that ohwise ini th'e Oonslbitution 
whicih authtOiTized lOonoresis to eoin mo'ney only gave the powder 
■to eoin the preeious nnetals into money and. rJdt to^ coin a. ma- 
terial of no value intio a proniiise which, shdvil'd i^ass' eioiiiipu'lsorily 
as money. .Tliat presentis tihe constitutional question' in this 
ease. , 

' _ ' I . — .. .^. -^** 



171 

Let me n'ext refer t'o fclie siulbjec't as a questton of ploJiqj'. We 
are lU'aw in a period oif uuexiiiiurpleid pix^sperity. It i&f dt>ubtlful 
whebliier any onie of uis) -cam rettuctm'ber a time wilnen' aiH tibe ciiemieiiits 
ttoat miake a ii'atdo'n grealt exi'steld ini a more ma'rk'od degree tihan, 
•mow. There lias been and tibene w:ill Ibe ia periioldile rise and' 
decline in itlne protspenit-y o'f tibe nut'i'on. These periolds: df ebb 
•and flow, o-f proisiperTty anid a'dversity, in ibusin'ess and in finance 
seem 'tio 'Come with some degTae olf regularity. 'We are noiW 
upon tihe flood'-tide of fiii^n'cia.l isuocesis. Imimensie croipte olf grain 
are being proidtieed in thiis eoiun'try, iwihich hiavte -a mairket in Eu- 
roii>e, aoiid tibe bionds, wibiob did) niolt baive a permianent boldiiig 
tbere, li'aviHlg ibeea sent ba,ek to Luis Country anid taken up by 
our own people, the preciioius miet'als are flowing -sltelaidJily from 
tlie foneigtn banks -and depositbriesi to live sihoresi of Ajmorica; so 
'that our Tiieasmiy isi not only fnlil, some tihink inicum'bered wdtili 
coin, 'but itlie 'banks ^aimd ttoe people, tto mielmbens- of Oonigi-'esB 
even wibo gio 'to ithe office of 'tHie SergeanltHa-t-A-nm's, are fre- 
quently incumbered 'by coin. iWhe'n the paieciouis mieftals are in 
such a'-bunidanee, why stoouM we inisdst upon debasling our nation- 
al credit at toomei and aWoad by -miaintadning a pi-omise ais a 
coimpU'lsory ipa;^iment "for debt? I, wii'tJii otibers, prbteistcd 
againsit the decision of 'Kne Supreme Cou'nt wlhioli declared the 
powei" of Congress to niaike a promiBe a legal tender; and I 
■vow-ed to miyself, and I stand here ndw in obedience to that Voiw, 
that ihe first loppontiunity tbat ever catoe, if I bald' the power, 
I ^-touLd insiat upon reversing that dedision and restoring tllie 
oounitiry a;gadn to a nornual and honest con)Sitd'tut!iona.l condition, 
recogndzing only coined m^etal, itis value recogmdzed' in tbe family 
of nations as tbe 'mtoney of tdne- co-unitiny >and as ttoe only com- 
pulsoa-y miaterial in whiioh ddbt BbaH be pai'd. 

There is amotdier point connected witto 'tbli'Si question of policy. 
We are no'W in nesumption, so far asi the Federal Government 
is eoinoerned. If Ithat aieismmpition is to- be menaced 'by any future 
idistuirbance, it must comie froan tbe proradisesi wbiolii the GtoiVern- 
ment ba.s madie. The present outstanding thi^ee biimdred and 
ifiorty-sdx anilldbns of paper pnoandses isisued by the Ooveiinment 
muislt 'always, in disiondiea-ed tinre's, lafibrdJ 'a mieniaoe to maintaining 
■resiumption. HJs tfeere econoany in keeping ouit tMs- paper a/uid 
in keeping "bebind it a suffidLcat body of coin alHviajis ready to be 



172 

able to ipiay thie GovernimenJt deman'd nolties ui>oii predcnitation? 
I cam see .no fiuianfial iwisdbiin iii' amy «udi ptolicy asi itihialt. yV'e 
are nioiWj as I salild, in pi-to'siperiity. It (Ims come upioai us sudid'eu- 
ly. Pumiig it'll e .I'atst sieissioiii t-hene 't-amie up Ifaioiu' lall paii'ts olf 
tlhis Haill the I'epieaeu't'ative cay. of the people for reli'e'f. And 
now tlvere codncisi up just as strieiiuous a cry, frioui la^l'l partis df 
tihi« Hall — .tihie i-epr'efeenit'at'ive 'cry of ttoe' peo{>lie tio be: M alone. 
Soi during the life of itMsi Congreists, yet but liU'llf itis diayiS' eipenit, 
we 'have paiSKcU. hnm a cry of disfcness laml depression amonig tilie 
people to, a cry oif is/aitiisifac-tdon and probperity. IBut iioiw isoom 
uuiy come agiain, 'in itJie tiunning df tilne wiheeil of fortune, tihe cry 
Oif djistreisis, and ,\ve 'be tliTOwn isutkLcnily 'U|M)n! a liniancial collapse? 

1 aisk igenitllenien iiei'e^ wilietHiiea- it is not time tlhiafti 'we prapai-ie 
the (Javenwuienlt fw that isiit-Uii'tikinr/ Isi it, not. '.time, unld 'higtli 
time, wihiJe we a.iie in a posdtioni :to do it, iWat 'we .siliouM pre- 
pare tilie GOiViermnent by taking 'awiay tihis 'danger, so ithat re- 
'Siuim.ptiiou) now aicthdeved ^siiaLl not be by a new t.um of (tine wheel 
of foiibume desltmoyed? 

Mr. 'Speaker, 'tllie rleistu'uiptioiii .ofi s'peeie ptiiyim.anit in tliid 
cou'iiltry 'has prodiu'ced! .a tinaniciail condiitiion unexpeotiekl' by its ad- 
ver.siar.ieis .as 'Jt 'wiaw unex'pect'ed .to niamy Of 'tlhe fdcndis of t'he 
m'eu.s'ure ait itihe tiim'e wlliien tllie isiubje<;it was. under eonsiidera:tion. 
The aimounit df gold a.nid silver -coiiii' aind gold 'and silver bullion, 
alwayisi a malttiea- of oa.lcrk;t'i.on, ver"v diifficult to anrive at cvem ae 
an aipproxiimatQ iieis'u.lt, by the opera'tionisi of resumlpt'lon' nh'aji'g'cd 
■fTom ibeing a .coimnnodi'ty and b3ea.m'e a part, of the currency. 
Insitead of being a pant 'Of thie puncih'U/s'aible .property of tbe coun- 
try it was added! ""o ithe puncilnaisling or ourrenicy oHeiiment. It 
thuis by a idoulble .actilon. operaited) 'to iprwluoe mouicy iiiiliaition. 

'Tiiiis nesiu'lt islliouWi n'ot Ihiare been iiinexpec'ted' .toi tlliie s'tudeut 
oif British: iliiiisitory. F'liom 1793 to 1813 the [Banlc of 'Enigiauid ^was 
uii'detr susiKMiHlion. lu' 1810 'the bf.iii'iv undentiook ito resuimie pay- 
ULCii't ill: gold and siilveir for 'its billis.. It. .coimimciictid on a,n ap- 
ipoi'ntdd m'onning, am atot vvliieli; tlile: 'emitire .gavieriiimiciiiit aji'd lilie 
llnandial people 'Of tine 'Bnitislh Enijiire iwaitoiied wiiitlh. greait. initea-- 
est. rUhiea-e wiais a.ii exioited rum O'li. tlhe Ibamk for coiit Ooin 
'had at tiha,t, 'tlinie drojui^ed' in prem'iuiui. Tinfil it b'ad i-'oadi'cd' about 

2 i>ei' eenit. iGeaitlem'on .bere can di-aiw a piut'urc for themselves 



173 

of bhai enoiwd off peioipte atit-einidinig itliie baiik o;ii tli'e aippoinited 
niorniiuG'. ! > 

III tiliie preiseiKie' of ithi's okan'oninig cro^wid' tiie olKeerB of tHie 
■bamk caiuised igold 'coiii 'to l>e \VheelIed 'into :tlliie !baJidv in 'ba-nilO'\vs 
'in iMie 'preisieiK-e oif the people. For t<hree dayw tlhie run con- 
stiiiuad ainid on tine e\ieninig of tiliie tiliia-d d);iy tlve clainnor mr gold 
■had suibsided, amd 'tiliie bank opemed on tihe iiexit inorninig 'wifcli a 
flow of ediii linito tilne bank on dieii^sik. iSpede ipaiyiuiicnit Avas 
I'll us resuimed. 

And uioiw mark tfae result. During tlbe yiear foWioiwinig tiher'e Avere 
twenity-ifiA-e new banks orga.nized in 'BnlglaMd 'alonle. Ooui.panaes 
were organized ajid stiarted upon every ctonicieiv'a.'ble kind of spet-u- 
lialfcion. iSwianiips 'were dividied into uilty propeilt^y; SoU'tili Sea 
islands \\iere out up and sold in wihaTeis; ^n lena di 'bublbiies and 
speoulaition beigaai' 'Tllie inflait/ion oausdd sby tluis resiuuiption 
cuhniimaittedl wditJiiin three yeaa\s, and neanly all tihe^^e fiwenity-tive 
banks wihd'ob wene onganizieil explioded. 'Tliiere wiere general 
banfcruiptcy and luaxw. Itlhii'oughiouit tihe eoun!tir.y, canrying witli 
them old and est-aibliisihied 'barnks -wihitfh ihad siunviiviedi thfei iperils' oi 
nearly a leewtiuiry. LAigain the Bank of Engkind sn^^pended. 
AVhettr tihie bamk resinmied lalgaim during tine foMowinig yenvr bdth 
tlie 'bank and tihe jieoplle Inad liefti.rned a les'Son of pmidenee that 
■made resiuuijiition pennianienlt and enduiing. 

Such' is tilne leisision whidi .is tiaiUg'ht to us by tihe .hiisitiory of 
EngUiind, wlhbsie people atre is(iiniillar im hubilte ankl idhiaiiacter tn our 
olwin. It 'is tlo aivoid thie disaisitieT whidi' 'follo'wied tih€ immediate 
operations of thlei liris't resuinptiion in I'^ngl-amd that I liave ad- 
dresised a jx^rltiioii of my rema.rViS on this q'Ues;tiion. 

I naw propose to eon>>lider the (question oif repeaiing the lejgiil- 
teniJer elauisie of the statute as aippMieabJe to lndi\-iMua,]-s and to 
'buisimeisis. Aind, tirsic, let me eon-^ dter it lusi applit'a'bilie to the 
la.boi''ing-inian', or to tihe nuiiU' w;iio eani's his daily bread 'by his 
daily labor. Is' tihere anythiiinlg hi the su'bject of labor that can 
be more intereislting to the laborer tlnan th'at hiiw employment 
shall ibe peinmiiiinenlt ? 'If 1 ihaive any exijerie'niee in tire o'bserva- 
•tions of lialboiiing-aneini seeking «implioyinient, it iis tlhalti tHiiey prefer 
^tlhose oooupations a.nd tllnose plaices 'wlii»3h seem t!o igi'V'C tlhiein the 
most permanent and 'esta'bli'sh'al cmiplcr5;ment. Th'cy avo'id all 



174 

appeamaaice oif ins'tal^iility ; they seek not eslpeftiiailly tfliie amiount 
of ipay 90 miuioli aig istaibiliJty and, pemiaaiency oif lemployanieiit. 

Id or*der to make laliior penmiauenit,, to lUiake it, istialble, it is 
mietoessany tftiat buisiniess islhoukl be fixied! ujjO'n a stable: baisds. 
It ^eanniat be fised iipoii a eunreiiK'.y l\^■^hileh' is tO' be dli'aai|ged, froim 
td'iue to timie, in v'alue, aeoondliinig t,o tihte lexiigeiKn'evS" <and coaiditionis 
of the eoiHitr'A-,. It imuist be iiimni a basis tibat is soiidi, sltaWe, and 
fixed, ai9 <x>in alone oan be, 'wlliien it is consiidleredi in reifenence to 
the subijedt of ourrency,. 

Now, look for a moimeoDt to the qiiiestaloin' of taBinesls. Take 
a man wh^ m albout to ein'bark h:is oa pit ail in any 'business 
enterprise. Is he not miudii more likely to oiuibao'k !liiisi tiapital 
in !buis(ines:s if Hie ea.n ste^e before hiim a fiseld or certain oalliculaition 
of ipenoentage? is it not oeiltaiin that ihie would Hke to know and 
undensitand the factors upon wilvidh Ms busiin'esis is to deipend for 
it's •snccesis? Would not amiy pi-'udenit man emlbaaik his capital 
with great idlonbt and hiesJtation in any busiinesis tliat ihei knows 
iwill be varyiirtg in price and' oonduetdd in a. currency iwihich will 
Mot be "permanertt to its value? 

If thiere ane any tiw'o branidhes in the sueeesB' oi wliidh this 
coumtry lat thiis timie is esiitecially intieresitiedj thiey- are mamufactur- 
ing and i'omini.eiiX'e. Th^e mian^ufaidturer miist necesisai'iJy embark 
a large aimount of Capital in biS' unidertaking. Hie mnst eon- 
'sitnuct biiis ibuildlingisi, piio\iide his malchiiinery, and after all otf this 
is done hie miuisit 'emplbiy a lange amounit of labor, a nidi iti isi im- 
poptant'to thie siiccesis of ibiis enltierprtisie that lire! niiuist be able to 
calculate tOila price of lalbor upon a fixied baisiis; and after h'e has 
'done 'all df tiliis hie musit tihen find a m,arket 'fioir his comiuimlities. 
'He must 'be able to calcuilabe tJinougih a series of yieaT.s uipoui tbe 
fixed 'la\\is o'f trad© and vmluios \\lhietlher liie will be likely to' make 
a profijt or a loss u]x>n ilnis 'businieHis. lie miuist a.lsoi oa'lculate 
upon activio. comjiiotition in his bu.siineSis, and, th'e'refoirc. flue' must 
'Undiersbaind and '^itudy the laws 'which i-egulatie and control thtese 
mattens'; and I asik gentlomiien 'wdicitber they can* reasonabJy ex- 
pect tth'e caipitadists of the doiinitry, itiliie, ipruitl<?nt men, to eimbark 
■thedir capitiail in' any entterpvise unilowte tlnej'' 'ha.ve a solid and a fixed 
ibasis upon whidh they can mak© a calcullation' for a seiiies' of 
yteans. 

Now, t'aik'e tihe queBtiiou of 'OOiUimierce. H'ovv many of u'St are 



175 

longjnig to see thie eountiy' revive iits eomimeiiC'e ? How miainy of 
U9 hope, aindi we 'hlave tihie nilgiht toi Ihoipe, tihalt we^ will seiei our 
shipo in large mmilbefrs coming in competitioini witHii tlh© com- 
meTiCia.! niatiions of tihe eiaint^x, amid yet wli'o iwili entier into a 
aohienve of oannineaxiej w'lio will invest his. capital ini ships; who 
will make 'hiai venitures in a. foi'iei'gm t'TOdtei until vve lliaive first 
isetltledl uipOm a nioroey in which he can satisfactoa'ily come in 
oonipetitiiion wiltlh the otilier matioTiisi lof tih© eartih? 

It is foT'eign coinimiea'cie woi sieek tb •■evive and. jiet A\iiOi would 
engage ini coniimiemce with a. fior^igin natio,n upon tih.e Tbasjs of a 
currency tlh,at is not recoginizeid by ihie nation's of tlhe world? 

WhOi iwiiill emibark in an cintenliMiiisiei tiaking so ma;nyi yiears' to 
mature urnlies's he IvnioiwlB thierte is to be a.n esltahlilslhiedi value to 
the niowey of thie cioimtTy, and a fixed stalblei sittiatiom upon 
w'hicih h'e can oounti for hiis paiofits? 

Mr. Speaker, I bedieve that there isi a gireialti futnrei foir thi& 
countiry In mia>kiuig this rKaniiark I lami not indulging in the lan- 
guage lOf profjlhieoy. I am only giving voice to tltie' oaloulations 
iQif the isitatistiioiiam; I am oirily fwinniiLaltin'g thie: retsiult of a math- 
ematical problem whichi we can only woi'ik out before our eyes; 
I am only giving the eaicullation of tihe 'orbit of tlhc' planet in its 
sfplhere. Look lat ithe miineral wealMilv whidli is being takeinj out 
of OUT iwines. (Look at the inimensie agnieultuiral iiesiouHeesi whicih 
have done sivdh wiondensi diuriinig the kisit few yeairsi ini hiringimg 
iback t!0 us thie balance oil trade. Look at our resources foi* cot- 
ton. iWie hiave reallyi eonfiriol of lihe cotiton market of the world. 
Look at the condition of this peoipi'^. (Here is the Angilo -'Saxon, 
witlh h)is 'stirertgth of dhiaraoter anid Ihfe amdusttr;}- ; thei Latin race, 
tbo, is ininglied with our people anidi give us our aptnesisi flor com- 
menloial eniterpris'eis. 'From Africa we ha^ve tlie endiuring material 
to .stand eMmatic tirialls, and 'tibe Oriental, with his habitiS' of 
ecomomy, is fast aiccumiulating on, our western shore. 

With oiu' icortditiioni of elimiate and of 'Soil, our mental, pliysieal 
and material faotloils, wlhio ean deuiy that a gre&Jt fiutmie lie® be- 
fore us? A hiunidliled yeans iis 'but th'e finst. exiperiment o|f Ameri- 
can greatnests. We stand hiere the raxliating-poinft, a;s it were, 
of all nationis, iWhO are to pour their Ave<altli iHto tine lap of the 
ipeoplfc of tlhis country. Amerii'Cii. is to ^bc tihe great naitiion of the 
iworld, not onily posisesisiing the East India 'ti'aidle, \Allnid; hais ini past 



176 

Qiistory maidie gfreat cities, Tt>U't tnadinig; wit'h every <>oiiinitry and 
wittti e'\iei'7 ciianie. (By <meam.^ of st'eaim arid te<legiiia(pli ami eteotr^c 
I'iglvt alii tihe agjpliamoes \Mhieht .moderni .man' ihais 'been able to devu&e 
are now reaKty to focalize tlliPiniisellves in fclne 'briUlianioy 'add gii-eat- 
nesis 'df 'tHii'? imaiirense ooun:t.ry. If tlhiere were a inilonareb eon- 
trollinig 113, it is possible Ive niiigfliit be unjust. If (tih^et"* Aveii-e a 
clasa of ipeopre in trti^e position of am aiii.-^tioieraiey con/tmlHiimg iis, 
■we .miigjh't aisgiuime itijustdoe'. But 'ilhis is a eounitry dnj iwthiieih. the 
people are ifhte ^ovear^ignB. TUne^y nueeit and make tlveir laws by 
t'he awgregat'ed' (liione^^ty, 'fairness anfil wiisdioin of iihe lemtiire people, 
and it a's Impossible tiha.t we slitoukl bei expeetied to predieatie 
eitili-er uTiwdsdiop; <m' urifaiirness «f the Goiverniment . The people 
are, atml should be, fair to thiemselves. 

iXow ifahe finisit thing tlhiait thie" haive to do is to comie baek to 
an hortest money,, ba.sod upon the vailue olf t'h'e m^etal im w1h,ioh 
it is stiru'tik. 'Aaid s'dtt'iiDg all cumemcj- upon tlvatt basis, i+hiene is a 
isimple, steady, cent aim imanch tb this goad of sueeesis whichi we are 
aill expectinig and iwiliidi we know iraust oomie. 



Fe,b. 11, 1880. 

By Mr. TjOUiN",'=iBERY : The petition of C. D. Bruyn and 55 

others, 'ciitizenis of the fifteienith eonigiies'sional distTiiet of Niew 
Yoi^k, 'for the rapeali of tlie legail-tenlcler setitioins' of the lEevised 
S-tatntes ais appli»aiblle to Unlitetl States notes and TivaJsiury not^es 
— ito the Coniimit'tee on Banklinig anid Currency. 



OOMPUTjSORY EDUa\;TION. 
^ipril 28, 1880. 

Mr. LOUXSiBEiRY. I riso to oppose the atmiendment of t/he 
gentlemam fiiom Xew York, [Mir. Yaini Yoorhis.] 

I unde'r-Htla nid tiliie^ gBnitlema.n ifrom X'etw York to tiake iH^^ floor 
in advocacy of ipetnaltiies. 'It seemis 'to me thait a sdiool law 
is tlhe. very wonslt pla'ce to loa^d np witlii penal statuties. T have 
a good deal of is3'im(i>ath.y with. th'C positiion .taken b\" t^liie gienit'le- 
mia.n fiix>m. Illinois, ['Ma-. Singleton.] 1 know thiait li'f wle e^niter up- 



177 

on tihe disousBlLoii of tli^e question of eompiikory odiiflaltiaii' we 
open a. veay wMe field oif disiouasion indieed. 1 have never been 
an laxiivoea^te of mmpulsory edluea*io,n. The l)«sti public mm we 
hiavie Ihad, tine moisit- ,siu<toeis.sful m^eni an! fbusiaiess, in *iii-t and in 
science, Iwvve -been self-mraide mien, men ^wWo were not foi-ced into 
an :a.v,fcifici«l «umou.limi of a pubMo .sidliiooH, bmb .mien wto byi tbedr 
own voliifcion, Avbile engaged it mlay, ibe in worik, 'luare laid tine 
foundaitlion fo.r a noble public on ipauvlaitie oaTCoa-. 

I ihav.e a'.lnvayis disitirusited tilwisie istaltaites, and I would liike to 
ask itbe gemtlenian 'from Virioiiida, {m. Huniton] wbo bias dbarge 
of tdiis bill, lexaic-tlyi wbei-e be piicKedi out tbiis- code of eomp.uilsoiry 
eiluoation; .wlietbe'r be took it from tbe Haws, of Oonnectiout, or 
Massadnisetts, or i^ome ortlber of the- New Eniglland .Stait.es, or 
^v-bietbea- be took i.t froim a ista,tuifce in New Yo.rk vdiiMi bas not 
been enforeed at al-l, but standi on 'tllie isitat-urte-ibaok las t.be dead- 
est of .dead-letter Sita.tuiteis in tbat Sitia.te? 

Mr. HUNTON. I ■will tell tbe .gie.n,t.leim€(n' if be will .aillow me. 

:]Mt. LOUNS®EiR!Y. Of courise tbis. .is not a matter .t» sbow 
any ispeoial fl*.linig about. I am .satiistfieKi .tibat. among t,hle popii- 
lation of tbe Diatriot of 'CWlumfbia a- compulisoi-y-ediwation law 
will be a dead-lMter. 

Mr. BONTON. Will my ifriend allow me to answer b.is ques- 
tion? i -1 

Mr. LOIM'SBERY. iCertiatoly. 

]\tr. HUNiTON. Tbe 'gentfeman as-ked me wlnere I picked up 
thiiis law, wlbetlber in 'Maisaadiusetts. or in 'New Yo^k. 1 will am- 
,sw.er my .friend tbat we took it- from tbie laws of tbe Dist.riet of 
Columbia tbat- -ba-ve been in ifioi'icle for sixteen yieans. 

Mo-. LOUNSBEKjY. Enfoireedi? 

Mr. HUNTON. In force, foir -sixteen yieaais-. 

Mir, LOUNiSB-BRY. Not enforced; you -are mistaken iiii tibatt, 

I tbdttk, 

!Mr. inJNaX>N. I is^ay lin forioe. 

Mr. LOUINSBEKY. You m«ean enae'fced, not leinforceid. 

Mr. HXJINTION. -I say tbe -law ha® been li.n foree for sixteen 
ye!ari3 in thiis Dis.t.rict, AA-itbont one isiinlgde murnimr of contnplainifc 
flrom tihe peopile. 

Mr. L0UN9BELRY. Is my time runini.ng on? 

33 



178 

ThiC CT T A TPJtIA2s ■ Tfie Obair tjoderstood tbe genftemao to 
yield io '&e ;-'" -ran from Virginia. 

!Mr. LOUIS ^ j.. For a question; nort; for a speedi. 

ilr. HLXTOX- I am not making a epeedi; I am giving you 
an answer to your quiestion. 

Mr. LOUXSBEEY. I have mot complietied my argument 
Agaiaat this oompul^ory-eduicaitioD proviaion. 

Ttie CH.WRyiA'S. Di>es tbe gentleman decline to yield 
furtiiie*-? 

ilr. LOUXSBEEY. Xot if I can have oiher time in whieih 
to conselude my argument. 

\Slx. HL'NTOX. Very well; go odo. 

ilr. LOL'XSBEEY. There i* a mistaken riew in regiaid to tae 
meaning of education. That is to say, it is a mistake to be- 
lieve that education means instruction in the oourae of learning 
wflaacih 5s prescribed in any piublie sebool. There is a more useful 
education tban tibat ; and tijat is -wbajt I mieaji by edueataon. and it 
is the true meanang. 

I ask gentlemen here io turn their attention to persons 
edocabed in art. Loc^ at .Switzerland, where the finest watches 
are made today, where the art 'has been perfected 60 tlhat the 
eye is instructed, the fingers are insstruicjed. the mind as iositnioted 
in a particukff art, whieh no man can ieam' exoept he oonMnenees 
at tbe very beginning when be i? a boy and oootimies to tihe time 
be i3 an oM man 

iSTow, I ask wbether gentlemen here believe it is a wise tbing 
for tbe Government to oomipel a boy bom of a generation of 
watch -makers to be drawn out of tbe directaoii wihere nature and 
hereditary instincts have carried him, and to be forced by a pen- 
alty to ax^uire t'"-- ^■■'^>^. of leamdng prescribed by public ©chooH, 
to whacb be is -.- .ed hv nature and by his hereditary in- 

etinets, and thereby instead of making him one of the most use- 
ful men in arte make him a troublesome, boisterous and dieagree- 
able man in society, inflamed by an. ambrtion for a plaoe for 
'wbicih he ifS not fitted, and make bim a charge upon saetead of a 
help to ttoe oommuimty ? 

[Here tbe hammer fell.] 



179 

CONDECNMING LANDS EOli SCHOOL rUEi'OSES. 

OVIay 5, 1880. 

^li\ LOU'X SBEllY. i AvisJi to sm'bmit am lairacndimieaitt , o strike 
out fa-'oun tiliSs bili ail'l Itlhle sieotkwiiS, 'dtummeiiiediiig watth seidtiioii 251, 
whiMi) priovSde tfloa- a oc«ii,paiI.sioa'|y taildnig otf toi^ for irdioioil piir- 

pOS'CS. , 

Tbe C1Il\'1iRMAX. The genlireinnam wiilil pletiBe dtefedgumlte liioiw 
aiumy sietctioais he< clesires k)o sltdke out. 

^rir. H'UXTOlV. .SetetibnM 251 to 258 aii'lH+at'C tjie siubjcot to 
wilik'li the gieiiitJioniiap refei'Si. 

Tihe 01MiiRC\L\N. The CHiaiii' vvouM siuiggesi Umt ttxio naoltioia 
'be willilliield miltil t>he stecltious indicMedi halve bemi ir^ad, 

'Ala". LOUNlSBiEIlY. Thti/t wtife, nio'^ p'Uii1i)Ois;e. 
The Clerk rfelad. as follows^: 

Sec. 251). I'poiii piiyiiK^iiiiL, or ofVeii- oif ipayimemt, tbi the pn-io- 
l>i"ie*torB o(f Uie kiaiid of Itilie daauageBi aisiseisBe'dj' aceoa-dliang to (jli© 
proviKJomsi of the three preticld'ing- isettdbius, the' Ititile to siuich huul 
slmll paissi to and. be vested ia the Dils'^aiiot of Ooiluiuilbiki,, and t4ie 
veirdicft of th^e jury ishal'I 'be reeorded In the llaind' rettordis of tihe 
District. 

Sec. 257. In any of the mses mentioned in the foulr prooeding 
iscwtioiiiB it shall! be oi>tib[nial witUi the eoiiudiiiiisisionerisi toi aJbide hy 
the verdiict of the jury and oooupy the laaid or abaindion it, without 
being biuJbject to daiuijagelS' tlh'erefor, 

Mr. LOUXISIBEIRY. lAIa-. Ohairwiani^ I nww uidike my miotioia tlo 
sitwke out. I thiiuk th'e seicitiioinia vttiidlii hlaive (beein read emibnace 
all thie pTOviisioinBi, giiviing to the eoinitmisisioinersi tlie rigilit to ©utea- 
land's of pri\^at•e indiii\iidiuals 'without their coniseint a.nd take pos- 
acisisioin of theui> The \ea-y lasit se'etioai read is' the one which 
tel>eiciai% cad'led' my attieution Ito tihe prio^i^ioini iaii tbe eKistiing 
sta^tiutes, vvhiA I tihink a vei'yi daaigerbiiDsi ome. Of eoua'se I a»m 
awaro that unaiiy S'tatutes of tine States, and peirha.ps soiiue of O'or 
UjiStcd Stat'etei statut'cs, authbrizo llhiid' to 'be tiakeini uii>on' am as- 
setifciaueint ibr publie puiiipoiscs. 13iut tllie objeot iliere isi toi take 
'laaid ibr the use of pu'blib sidibtoilis; aind I iwiish to- stiate that ia 
any experiemee I have nei\'er iseeoi' the deauiamd for real esttilte fbi* 
sdiool ipuaipoises so gii-eait and pineisisd.ug tliat thei liaaidsi of a private 
individual shiouldl be fcaketti for eueh puqioses 'witiUouit hlis eoiasieat 



180 

at any vialinaitioia whaltever. I 'U'eeid not say {-beieta^ise evcsvj one 
kno'WiS it) tibat wiieai a mam 'h'aB beiooime tlie OiAvnea'' of eu i>ie<-'e of 
land and) luais placed tibei'e bis ba'bittition, it faiequeiutly Ii'aippene 
tbiat tfbeire is mo ooiuiipeinsait'ioni wiiiobi be is will^'ng to receive in 
lieu otf tibe home tttuat ibe h&s miade. 

Nofw Koo'k at tboioi stlattiutte as apiplLiealble to oninoi-s and insane 
pei'slons wilio bave not the nieaital catiD^ioity anid are fi-equentily 
•tt'itbb'iit tbe pbysital caipacity to' pifoteot tlieir titles' |and secure 
a proper vailue for tlbiedr landtei Tlbe. palovisiioia bere isi tihat im tlie 
case of minbrsi and in'sanje penson© a juiy auay be ealied ex parte, 
witboiuJt notice, wi'tboiut alilidwimg tO' tbe parties interested a day 
in court. Thus tbeir tond may be taken; and tllie minor on 
iittainiug yeai'si of discretion or tbe lunatic on nega-ining tbe ex- 
encase of bis (faeultieisi may find tblat under tflias' code of iajwis of 
tbe District olf lOoiuimlbia a title dliisipteis'eidising Mm baS' been re- 
corded u|pon tllie reooi'd ibooks^ of tttiei DSiStl'ict. 

In tdie first pilaee I olbject^ toi ftbe praldtifce of takiing landsi for 
public tsctooJis by compulisdon^ driving a niani; from' tbe bome be 
bus selected wben be ie uniwHling tb 'lAnrx witbi it. at anyi price. 
Let tibese commisisioaiens wben wilsibing Hand fbri scbool pm'poiseis 
go to some ipeirson wil'Mng to sell, and not to a 2>erson wbo' has 
fixed hi& hjome and is uniwiHldiig toi take any .pi'iee for it. 

I .object toi tbe pro\"iisions' iwbWi I iiatve anemttioned ; a.iid I ob- 
ject tio tbe manner in •wHidfclli tttie jua-y: aae tt) proceed. I objedt 
because tbere is no day in ooiut. Tberei isi nb record cojui-t pro- 
vided for tbe itii'ial of tb'esei easesi, 'wibiene tbe tit/Ie may be reeonded 
alfter adijudieatibn' olf ttlie ra|giblt to it. 

I make anotb'eii' pbjec<tik)in, and tibiat isi tO' iseobion 257. TIbat 
simply goesi to tbe general cairelessnesis, and I dfiistlike to use tbat 
Avord, witb vvbicb' tibdls particular sit'altiuite lias ibeeni tiawwn.. T'hc 
eitaituite proivideis, in daise ain appieaH iisi t'akeni to a juiiiy, intstead of 
aieoepting tbe valuation tbe commissioners put on tin© land aoid tbe 
jury siball ass'esisi tlie valoie at less ItHian tllie dommfeisioneirisi, tbe 
charge ebafll be upon bbe owmien^, lyut if it be alt .a great ea- Biiiiii 
than the comimisisioners Sibaill put uporii it tliien' the ebau-igei shall 
be upon the oonimisisliioners. And yet just a|Si soon as Itbis jury 
has deltenmined tihe price ajt a; ignealter suim. thiam the eotoimiitsiioners 
A-alued' alt ii%, tibey have a riigWt t'o abaindoni tlie hmd and leave the 
owner cihaalgcd with the cx'penise olf thiis llLtigatio'nj Sm the aippea"! 



181 

wMoh tliiey hme put upon liis liaaids. i refer ,to that to kHiow 
tlie gcuvenai caTieikisiucsvs 'witih wMdi ttiis stiaitutc lias bet'U dii-'a/Wii'. 
[Here tlie hamtmeir ■fe'll.] 



ELEOllOHAlL COU'NTJLVG. 

Jiune 10, 1880. 

']yir. LOUXiSBEPvY obtiain'^d tilie tlaor. 

']MJr. KIEFIHR. WiomlM tflne genltlldmaii prelt'er t'o sipe'alk twmior- 
rovv? If 190, I wiTll move itlhat itihie 'Rvmei adijourm. 

'Sev^-ral '^leiulbens. (Tbo eanliy. 

]MiV LOUXS'BERY. i^Ir. Stpeaker, 1 'hald pnoposied tk> addiress 
luyselif to *.\va ,proipo':6itio,tils Inivoilved in bhiis mieiaisiui-e. Tlhwe arc 
viariious neasonis wihiy tliis disicussiion isihlould be ^bmielf, aipart froiu 
the fiaot tihiai tMs .legislative session is 'aibanit to dose. The 
pTO^osition is reailly pres-eriteld in a veay, iHaiirdw alnd distinct 
icomipasis. It isi a fadt wihiiieb all ui'einiibers of thiis HMm^ know 
that we 'are approatttniing anoHhier elleiction df 'Preisildeailt. It is 
less itlhan tfoxir yelains since this Hom^e and tto I'ountiry -were c-trn- 
fnonted with an euieilgencyi whidi riot oiilly attraKited the atteai- 
tion olf a'lil oiur ipeople fbnit was a milatt'er df 'anxiety with foreign 
natiotns 'as 'weHl; and it was reialy ItlioiDght tihiilt tHiie aetuai test 
of thie endiuramoe otf this Reipubbi'c waisi 'albout to be miade. 

A diisltingu'ished ^L-itizein oif my own State Ihad reeeiveid a large 

.majority of the piopnlair vote of Mie eonrttay laiid there had heeu 

c'h'ois'ein eleftonsi 'who, if they had heen ffa,inly, gi'ven tilveir certificates 

and if their voltes h-M ibeen Ifiivirly wanted, tlliat drsltiimtgausared 

citizen. ■wnwM haxe been etecl'areil ei'eeted Prelsidenit. Conif-noarted 

as tHie tio'iuAry «as with tiiat enne'Ugenicy, it. Was 'daiaieVl by some 

pers'0«H that i'b '\\iis. the poiweir' of tilie A^ife-Presdd'emt or the then 

Presidenit of tjie (Senate to' detlare a ijiartisain adjudication upon 

the ek'ictio'ni iln tili.e 's'everaH^ Sta^t'es.- I'nhlat (luestdoiiu wais aligned, 

and angued at gre'ac length, in Ithe Sen'ate <and in tHiis H'ouise. it 

is ntot necessariy fur me tO' r'e'ilterat'e the airgnments on eiadi side. 

The aimlbitiodi of a Mig\e mfa.n might' !liai\'e ifweltiiipitated .tihilsi coun- 

tr'y in'to wtir, belctiiise voliinlteer.S' 'were' cheerfully oflereld'. and 

there were men iwho charged thjsi eitizcm to ■whomi I lliiaive reiferred 

with heing piu'sililaniimous. and waven that he did not 'put himiS'eif 



182 

:at tdie ilieadi of aai aiimy of voluiiiteeiis and miai-cli tiO' tlhiiis cajhital 
to iJake possession oif tlbe office to^ wlhdicfli Itllne ipeotple Wald fairly 
-ohosen Mm. Yet my lion'or'albte ainid' eloquent fri-enld froim tlie 
State of Xeiw Jea-'Siey; [Mr. Rolbeisoai] i-feeis heiiie 'today m bis eeait 
and deokreis, as. I nndeilstoOd 'liiimi to dedkaie, ttihat 'tlbeie is no 
■languagie in tine Con sti tuition defining tlie manner 'by twliich tlie 
President auia^y be .ohosien, but ttoat it is a ruiatter oif s.tieinw;:ih and 
poAVer — 6he aalmiy aigaiiiust ftlie volunfceersi, as I unlderst'otod. 

3Ir. KOBEISOX. Will tdie geiitleim'a.n permit a disolaim,er? 
1 I'CitaJnly have said nothing of tliat kind. Alil I did say was 
that when the Constitution gives Coaiigu-esisi po^ver to make 
law& to carry out the Constitution, a joint nule exoludiog tiue 
■executive from his shane in a matter of legislation isi not law 
under t'^i* Constitution. 

Mr. UOUXiSBE'RiY. Mr. iSpeaker, it is' not my purpose to 
mis.represenit the gentlemam. I gave AVhat I supposed to he tlie 
logical efl'ect of Ihisi remarks, not the language; for if it be true, 
as !he did as'sert, that 'the Conistitiution has failed to pa-ovide a 
mefihod, if the laiw, has failed to provide a method, and it is im- 
possiMe for us to make a rule, then it is- the logical conelusion 
of that statement 'that tJhis questian' isi to be determined every 
four yiears hy arms and Iby bloodisihed. Tihe disorders^ whitih 
have marked tihe history of Mexico are to 'be surpasised by mu/ch 
greater violence and ibloodshied tliam have evier ibeeai perpetrated 
iby pantie* in IMexico in the election of their president. 

I propose, therefore, to address^ myiself very bauefly to the 
question Whether joint rules are proper to^ ibe adopted at this 
time; and, in the next place, wheth.6r they can toe effeatual un- 
der the kinguage of tihe Consititutioii ae.d the law. 

I understand my learned friend from Iowa [Mr. Updegraff] 
foas made aoi argumenit against the adoption of these rules. He 
is a m'emlber of the Committee of this' House having in charge 
this very important question of 'the nranner of counting and 
declaring the votes for President a'nd Vice-President, and I have 
iistenedi to 'his reniailks wiltli siome i-are 'toi sice wihether he hias 
appreciated fully the em-ergemc-y presented, and whetlher he has 
suhmitited a.ny pkiu by wliich we can avoid the dangers i have 
indicated. AM I find from his' speedi is that there are two 
ways in wihi'C'h these vctes ean 'be eount'ed, and the result de- 



183 

clared. lOne is by tfoe Presid'©n.t of the Seiwiite, wifchi am appeal 
itio tibe Sivpreme Court of tine United Staft.es, undier^ laws wihich 
are to he pa.ssed at isome faitiure time. I oaii g^t no otiher idea 
from tilne speech 'which lie made, and I propose to show, th.at; in 
the presenic^' of the eimerg-e,nioy 'Wie are now aijjproachiing, his ideas 
are noit at all applicable tO' the case. 

Let m-e saiy, first, that I in a nTeas^ire diflTeT fromi the ex- 
pressions of the leai'ned chairman of tihe oomniittiee on one single 
point. I think there is an adva^ntage in a. joint nile o'ver the 
enactniienit of a. law in soane respiec'ts, and I will proceed to- show 
how I reached that eonckision against the oonoluision wMoh I 
first reacihetl witli the gentleman that it was- aoisolutely neces- 
sary we isihould ena<-t a statiute npon the question. 

The Coai'stitution isays that the certifi'cat'es from the several 
States shall Ibe sent to the national caiprtal, and on a day men- 
tioned in the Constitution tHiey shall be opened. The Constitu- 
tion prov'ideiS on that day and in that plaee the Senate and 
House of Represent atives shall be in sesision'. iW'hat doesi the 
Const itiut ion say the President of the Senate ishall do ? It sayiij 
he shall open the retnrns, and it sitops there, putting upon him 
no further act or duty. 

■Wlio isi tihis President of the 'Senate? It is' supposed by 
some he is the Vice-President. 'Xot neoessa.rily, so. The Vice- 
President, if he ibe present there, ex offieio isi President of the 
Senate, and if he be absent the person who sits theiie as Presi- 
dent of the Senate is the creature of the Senate, made by the 
iSenate, dhosen 'by them as they have the right to do under the 
Consititiition. 

iffow, the Constitution says these' eertifioatesi shall be 
opened by the President of the Senate, w'hoevei: he may be, the 
Vice-President or this creatmre of the Senate.; and it sa-yis' these 
eertificates shall ithen Ibe counted. .It does noti sa.yi by the 
President of the Senate. There is. an .entire absence of direction. 

Let me show briefly tlie reason wihy; thie Senate is there. Be- 
oaiise th.6 Const iitutaon says lom ttoat day and ocoasion ttoey shall 
'be present. This creat'ure of ttheirs opens and in their presience 
counts. Why should tiiere be tbe presence of the Senate? Did 
the makeris. of tihe Constitution ha.ve any .meaning in that word 
"presence?" The Senate imust be there and the counting must 



184 

Ibe don,e, and at must 'be done iini tli-e piiesence of itflie Senate. 
^\^l'0 does it ? 'Tiie crea tiure of it'be Sejiate lor tihe Senati© i-ts'elf ? 

More than that, t'lie Oonstitiitiion isaysi tlhat tihe Houise of 
Represent at iv«8 sihn]! be there, and it slhaiU he dome in tihie pres- 
enee of the Hoiuse of Represenitative*. iWliy? In eaise there 
'S'hall 'be no icflioioe of Priesident, in ease no' pietrson shall have 
received a majority of the votes oast, then there is a failurie to 
eieot the President; and who determines that fact? iWho m to 
<let'enniine for the Hoiisie of 'Riepreseintati'ves,, for theyi have to 
know it, because the Oonsttit'iitio'ii puts uipon them' the duty, im- 
mediately upon the determination that no* person has beeni eieot- 
ed l)y thie people immediately to elect the President ? It is 
absolutely neeessary to icarry out the Constitutionj that the 
House of Reipresenitatives shwild ipass^ upon' the fact that no per- 
son has' been eihoseii by the electors, that there hais beeni no dioice 
under the Constitution, for !then the 'Constifcution' eayjsi the 
House of Eepresentativeei shaill i'mmeddately ehoose from one oif 
tlie thii-ee persotns on the li-^t vote<l for as Presidenit a person' to 
be Presidenit of the United States. 

I iinders't'and it hiais 'been aalgued this House of Representa- 
tives, whiidh the 'Constitution says s'ha.ll be' there, 'has' no 
power to act, no ipower to judge, is there simply as' idle persons 
witnessing an act to- be performed by the President oif the Seruite. 
Yet, in the same clause, t'hey are bound to judgie and declare no 
person has been elected. Tlney are bound under the Ooustitutiion, in 
oa;se itherte hais> been mo eleiotion, to proceed to the eliectiion' of a 
l^res'ideint. 

This Ibriefly discusisies the question wire^ther this isi an act 'otf 
the two branches actiiig under the Constitutioin, or whether it 
was in'tended by the fnamers of the Constitution to (be a miere 
maiiuail act on the 'pant of the President of the^ Senate. 

jNIir. iRQBEslSOX. If it will n'Oit initerrupt the gemtilemajn from 
New York, I wonid' be glad tio ni'ake a s'liggestion to him in this 
connection u{K>n which i W'ould Jake to ihaive his^ opiriion. 

Mr. LOUXSIIIOIIY. I aui perfectly willing to yield to my 
friend from JMasHach'Usetts, bti't I wouild j>refer to compieite this 
lihoiight. iT'li'Cii i will yieldl icheenfuliy. 

I have reached the iConolusion m nay owa mind' that the 
count inig and declaring of the resulllt o^f tlh© vote' o'f the eletOtoTS 



185 

is an mt df soAiereign po\V(en, dellegaitiecl ibo ih^e i\va Hoiisei?' of 
Oon'gi-eiss iTay tlw Const it irtlom; that whm the Coimstitiultioni' says 
tihe vot'es shaiU tlli«ii ib-e oomiiiitied i'tii ithe. puiesKjnice, oif the Senafce 
and ITousie of Rfipnesiettiltat ivies, it matle tlie ti\v.o ibmnicihes of 
Oodigre'ss t'lve two^ kwiors 'by wMdli tlie result 'was tio be r;eaebed 
anid deelaned. Now, I will, yietld tb the qiiesition of my. friend. 

Mr. ROTJlNiSON. I imdier«t:aind the ^gmUmmm to argue t^hat 
tiliiere i.>» no ej^presis pTOvision in thie Oomsltiitntion liy whioli. the 
Vice-iPresidlent qaw eon n't ihe vbfceSi. 

Mr. LOUNSIBERY. Th© 'OoinBititintioin says th© Bresident of 
the Senaitie, who is not necessarily Itlbe Vioe-IPreteiidienit. 

:Mi-. ROBI'NSON. Then I imixHenstamd tdiat t'iverei is entire a'b- 
semce of timt powder in t'hie Prelsidemt olf the Seniate. 

Mr. LOU'XSBEiRY. Will tiiie genitilennain ail'low me to quote 
.tihie exact language of thie Oonsititutiom dtiseilf? 

Mr. UOBINISOX. That is of course fiaimiilii!a.r. 

"Miv. UOUNiSBIERiY. I will neal it so that my position may 
te di'stinictily undiCTsltood : 

"Tlhie Presiideuit of .tih^e Senate sihall, in the pneisenice of the 
Senate amd Honsie of fRepresentativesi, open all the eertifioates 
and the voites shaill then be cooinlted." 

Mr. ROB1'N;SO(N'. Very wioll; now thie Const itiitiion doies not 
say that they shaM toe eountW 'by the Vioe-IPnesident or the 
PresidJent of the Senate, neithe,r does it say that they sh'aill be 
counted by Oomgreiss. 

Mr. LOUNISBEIRY. 'Nor do I angue itHiat ttoey shhll be iconnted 

by Oonlgresfs. 

Mr. RiOBINISON. I ai.ndenstamd' the ige^ntilema'n saylsi the next 
step is that Oongii-'eiss shall jmdge or determiine wfheth'er amy per- 
son shall count them. 

Mr. LOUNSBERY. Tllney are lequired to judge whethier or 
not amy pei-'Sion has been dhoslein toy the pe^ople under the Oon- 
stitutaon. 

Mr. ROBTNiSON. .Wiwe is tihat language in the Oomsti tuition? 

Mi^. LOUNSBERY. Tt is hiene. 

Mr. ROIBINISON. Thait wo,uld leaiTO the power in the Hoiise 
of Riep-psentativesi, not in the. tiwo Housies. oi Oongiress. 

Mr. LOIMlSBERY. To judge that, of .comrse. The la.nguage 
of thie Constitution is ttoat, "amid if mo persom have sudhi majoiuty, 
24 



186 

tllien from 'tJiie persons iuajvdnig ttihie IhiiglieiSlt' ■niU'm'biOTisi not- esioeied- 
ing tilia-ee oo tli^e li'st of tlnose votedi for wsi PresiMiemt, the House 
of K'&presienitiaitiv'es shiadl dhoose iraimediaitely, ."by (baillot, tbe 
Piiesident." 

I .tabe the meiaming oif ,tihat to be that tlhie Hoaise aniust det'er- 
(mime tliiat tibePe has Ibeen no clvoiioe.. Tine iHous^e mtuisit deter- 
mine who are the three haiving reoei\'ed tllve Jiighest inuiinlber of 
ToteS; because thait determination w 'acljudlica.tioin warn pre- 
limiinarij' to the niest step, namie'ly, of elecitiing. 

Mr. EOBIXSON. I waait to suggest the emtoarilaislsmient we 
have heJie. If thene is ahsenioe of power in the President of the 
'Senate to count, there is al&o ahsenoe of powea- in tihe Oonigresis, 
amid, fiurther, when tilne iiaraguiage siays tilvalt "if nio pensom hiaive 
sueh juajority," then the Hoiisie of RepresentatiiA'ies ishiall do 
soniething. Thiei'e is there an absence of expriession of power 
on the part of Oomgresis or even thie Housie to deteinminie w'hetlier 
amy person has the majority. You find lagiain la sdmgle ste-p 
fui-itHier that the Hoiuse of liepresientatives shaiH do something 
if it is decided that mo person has a miajcrity. Xow who is 
going to deitermine thiat? 

Mr. LOUiN'SBBRY. 1 wiasi aippi^oaohinig .flnat part' of my, ar- 
guanenit at the tiinie the gemMeman inlcierrnptedi mie. 

Mr. EOBINiSOX. I only want«l to suggest that th^ought 
to thie gentleman isio that he might ilkisitrabe it in his argument. 
The quesition is a very diflficult loffle ajid withoiiDt refenemce to 
parties or to its political! bearing it is one thiat should (be di's- 
tinctly consiidened, no matter who shall be Pixsident. 

Mr. LOUlNiSBIEEjY. I am entii'rely aware that there are 
trorft)les besietrting thiis question, and not alone thie particuiliar 
point as to whidi we are now speaiking, but there arc otihier dilli- 
culti'es ini the same amiendment — ^articlie 12 of thie Const it utiion. 
They arc political queistions, and politica] queistiionst are always 
liable tlo trouble. Tliey need wisdom andJ imtriotismi hothi when 
they are to be disoussed and deailt witjli, and I invoice in the 
conisMieration' of this questioni, both ele^mients!, wisdom and 
patriot iera I, and I have tried' to bring both to bear upon this 
siubjeiet. I isiayj Mr l&pea'ker, it iS' no^ easy question to deal 
with. If the Constitution had stated that Ooragress shaHil oounit 
tihe vote, the exipriesslion would have been easy oif iinteripnetatdon 



187 

but v-ery ddffieuit it'o eaiTy iiiito effect. Tlhere must hiave beeix 
an inlieremit cliifficulty. witili th'e fiamere of tilie Oousittiitutionij and 
wliidi they wcPe eallied upon to miciet \\hen< itbey wer© giving 
ianigxiagie to tbiisi ipart oif itHiait dnisitiiuunieaKt, aoid itlhiat difficulty 
gnoiwSi gneaiter >wsi laiitagoinizinig iaitieres'ts and po weirs grow land 
fight each other in the choice of electors and in the declaration of 
tihe iresiult. But I reiacli the ooinelusion that tOie tlwio ibTandres 
Whidh mate up the Oonigress of the Uniitied 'Statieis, thiC tew-imak- 
ing .po'Wieir, hla.ve tlliie right to count 'beciaw&e tivene isi oio provisdom 
in tlie Cbnsitii.tutioni whidh repois'&s thiat rigM in any other person 
or penso-uiS', and itlierefore tlhat claiusie of the ConiatJtutioni ooimes 
in wJidcli gives to Oonigireisis tte right toi lemergize and supiplemienit 
every provisdon! of tihat imjsitruiniont Which doesi not caiuy out and 
projieet itseilf into effect Now tlie two- Houses of OonignesS' ai''e 
a law 'untb' tiiennselves. Tlhey 'have ti!.'© poiwier to palsis tltatutes. 
They ihave thie power to make rufes. Thi^y tove fhe pOAver to 
refuse to o^bey law, 'beicaiuse tihe law is tiheir oneiatuiie. THney 
haive tihie .poiwier to' disio/oiey tlieir o'wn rules', Tjecause tihe rules are 
of thieir own creation. 

Xow, is there any rieaisoni in tihat idea iwhioh gentlemem have 
tihrown out, and wliiioh I understand my eloquent friend from 
New Jiersiey [Mr. Robeson] to make tihe 'basiis of Ws opposition 
to these rules? He sayis 'becaiuse the two Houses, of Gonigi'ess 
ihave a right to refuse to obey thesei rules, itiherefore they sihall 
not be observed. It isi a great miisfortune, peii-iha.ps I stoiuld 
say a good 'fortune, tihat this law-imaikdng power, whioh is com- 
posed of the Senatie and House of ReiiM-esentativesi, is not bound 
by law. It ds bound by the Const itution, because tlhat is the 
organic adt Of tihe people in oonivenitdon. But llaiwis are made by 
the iSeruate and House of Reipresientativesi dn 'Congress asisambled. 
They make and unmake laws; they ma.y obey If they choose 
and they may dis'Oibey; and it is just 'SO with a rule. But yet 
let mie tielll my friend from New Jersey it is imy ibelief if we pass 
tihis riulei — ^and I am not here to discuss wilnetihier in langniage it 
be wise or unwise, I am not bere to discuss itsi provisions. — ^but 
I AvdisJi ito i&ay if we adopt tihis rule we do so to formiulate tlhia 
'action "w'hdich the two Houses of 'Oonigresis are to take wbeu' they 
come together, and it will be a light, if tbey choose to foiUovv it, 
by whioh to guide tbelir st'eps. On 'tihe otiher 'hand, if we le'ave 



188 

tlieui to atot wiitibout a lai'le prOTdded ibeforeliaaid, itliey are left on 
au emiergeiiicy to make rules, beeaus* tiliey canaiot giet on wittout 
rules. 

These are rules of order, luiles tO' esitaMisdi procedui-e, not to 
establisJi nigbt. 'These rules' do not; change thie Consitdtution, 
They will not (Change the 'law, 'but sini.pily provide a manner of act- 
in,g to the two Houses, and if we pas^s them, they will be ready 
made and to haind when thie eamergeney of counting tihe vote of 
the next ipresidential election sliaill occur. 

Is it not a wise thimg to adopt rules for tlha.t puTipose? I 
sulbmit to my friend from Xew Jersey, looking at it as I do, and 
asisuniing that these i-ules a.re to be followed, and to -f^unrisih a 
guide for the action oif these t^vvio 'bodies, is it mot wdsie to adopt 
thiem now? 

air. KEIFER. Will tibe gentlemaji yield to nite foi" a question? 

Mr LOU^^SBBEY. Yes, sir. 

Mr. IvEIEER. I understood thie gentlieman to siay thiese rujles 
were in no sense intended to 'regulate the conduct of anylbody but 
Congress in counting tihe votie. I want to call Msi attention to 
wliat, iis conitained) lin lines 5 to 10 oif seotion 3. 'Let me read 
tihe 'WToMs. Speaking of wQiat is to be done toy the President 
of the 'Senate, the language of the isection is^: 

"He isibaiU open all tihe certified listts of votesi of electorisi (oa- 
pa.pea's puiiportiing to be isuoh cert'Jfied ilist ol votes ) of each State 
respectively, wJnich sliall 'have been delivered to him, in the order 
herein prescribed, and ishalO. dteiiver them toi tibe telliersf, byi whom 
they sihall ibe re&A in the presence and ihearing of the two' Houses." 

Now, my; question is tlhis: In view of the faot that the Con- 
stitution of .the United ,States provides that the President of the 
Senate shall open certain certified papers, is it in the power of tJie 
House, by a joint rule or otherwise, to retjuire hini, as is paoiposed 
'here, to open ai'l kiinds of papers that uiay Ibe sent toi him pur- 
porting to be ceiti'tiedi lists of votes*? 

Air. LOUX'SBEEY. I had siupposeid that the (luestion of the 
gentleman came directly within 'tihe next proposdtiion I was about 
to discuss. It is germane to it, and I wiU t'herefore proceed to 
state my looncluding proposition upon this quesition. I under- 
stood my friend fram New Jeisey [Mr. Hobesoa] to claim that 
thesie ruiles 'oould not afieict out'siders ; I quote ihii^' words as I 



189 

undersitood thom. These rules 'are, in uiy opindon, like t'he rules 
of a court 'having jarisdie^tioni hjy conisititutlion and hy laiw of the 
subject -imatters pending 'before that ourt. The count make® to 
itself rules by which dt aiets and by; AVihicih oitiliers may aot; and, 
so far as otihors are affected by those mules tiheiy affect outsSders. 

If I am ligiht lin my aryunien.t that tihe ISenate and House of 
Represenit«tive-s oulght to ihave jurisdiction of t!hisi subject -(matteir, 
tihen tihey have the irigth,t to niaike rules of ordier by Aviliii-h tbey 
shall exei^'ise tlunt jurisidiction 'and ipixvceed to an adjudication 
upon it. 'And so far as that adjudiication slhall affect oiitsiiders, 
tihese iT'Ulies 'become effectual and binding upon outsiders, so that 
in fact t'hey nve affec-ted by tliein. Yet, as' I said before, there is 
no rigiht detenniined by these rules of oi'der. The coumt itself 
■may, if it s(ee fit, set aside its rules momentarily or contioiuously. 
It 'is ortly, iihe part of w-isdom to adopt rulles. 

Mr. ROBESOX. I fear t'he gentleman doe?) 'mot nndersitand 
my ij>roposition, and with his permission I wi'Il state it again. 

'ily proposiiition i'S this: If Congressi h'a.s the rigihit to a«it at 
all upon this subject^ it bas t'he nght to act undeT that pro- 
vision of tihe Constitution 'wJiieh wa'S quotied by the genWeman 
from Indiana [Mi-. Bioknell] authoiizing Conigness to miaJke ia(w,s 
to carru' into effeict tlie pixjvisio'nis of the Consti tuition. iA\'heii 
that •Oonis'titution authorized Congresis to make laws it did nol 
authorize them to 'make anytii'lng else. iLa.ws are definite things, 
things to be passed by ibot'h Hou.-es separately and signed by 
the Execuitive, or ipas'sed iby a- two-tihinds vote over his 'vieto. 

IWhen tlie Const it uti on says tlhat Congress may make laws 
for ca.rrjiing lOut the (provisions of the 'Consititution, it excludes 
t'he idea of doing it in aai'v ot!h'er way. 1 disK^Iaim liere 'before 
t'h'is House ami belfore the country a.ny leaa- o'f violence. I never 
■mad'e any allusiion to fear or violence, as the gentleman has at- 
tributed to niie. iBut 1 did say tihat those two Houses of Con- 
gress cannot nuake a rule under tihe conistitiutional provision 
which 'sa,yis that they siiall miake rules to goiverni their own pro- 
cedure — cannot make a rule 'which sball lauthorize tlie retiirnis ot 
tlie votes of a State to 'be tilvix^wn out and tbat iState disfran- 
chised, 'merely beeauwe t'he two Houses of Comgres'S, eleated two 
years 'before, concur in throwing out tHiat vote. 



190 

Mr. HUNTON. W>M tlie geuitleuiiaji' i'lom New Jeisey [Mr. 
Itobeson] allow me to ask toimi a questiom? 

^Lr. LOUNSDE'EIY. I canuot yiield now. 1 trii-miot allow tJie 
gentleman 'imn New Jeiis-ey tio put in miy speeicihi a-iiotber specoli 
of 'his O'wn. 

It is appaj-ejiit tihat iwe stand upon entirely diftenenit grounds 
of reasoning in itliiisi case. I unidersitand tiie gentlemian tO' be 
•cons'taatly ineisting tihat tihe counting of the electoral votle under 
the Constitution is tihe w^ork of Congress. I have made no such 
ajgumient as tliat; I have dio siueh ^theory. I do not say that it 
is t'he law-imiaMng .power' whidi adjudges and deelanes the result 
of tlie election, nor do I think it is so placed by the language 
of the 'Constitution. The Cbnistitutioii req.uirea tlie Senate to' 
he present as a siejxiirate body; the iSenaite of the Unitied States 
with its President inaking one body. It requires the House of 
Hepresentatives to be preseiiit as aai integer Iby itsei'f ; the iSpeak- 
er ainid the House of Representatives nuaking the House of Repre- 
sentatives of the United .ibtates. These tiwo bodies, named as 
they are in this section of the Constitution, and not Congress, 
are to eount and declare the electoral vote. The ISenaite is there 
because the Oonsititution puts it bbore to do its work. The 
House is thene because the Const it ution puts' i^t there, and be- 
cause it hias to judge whethei- or not a President has been elected. 

Therefore, it is not a question, as the gentleman states, about 
which Congress nr.'ust make a Isow, because the Oonsititution has 
not put it into the power of Congress. iNor is he dglbt in an- 
other resipeet, becauisie if it 'be ieft to Congress to act, sO' as to in- 
volve the entire law-niaiking power, then it is necesisary that the 
President should lexercise the right of veto wliioh is. given him by 
the Constitution. There was no .soioh pui-.pose in thisi ^plrovdsion 
of the Conisititution Jt -was not placed with the law-making 
power, in the exercise of wlhieh the President has a funetion. It 
was placed in the power of the two branches of Congress, the 
Senate as a sepaa-ate and distinct branch, and the House of Rep- 
res eintativea as a separate and distinct Ibranch, ea.ch tio perform 
its functions sepa ratify and distiinotly, and eacli in the end 
uniting and deelaring the result of the election. 

One word more and I will be th.nough. (Have gentlemen who 
have been putting themselves in oj;>position to thisi rule oonsidiered 



I9i 

tJie emero'eiiicy? Have they conisidered tliait if wie (refuse bo act 
'Wt this timie, ii we refus'e to act with proniiptnesis— Jbecaoise our 
timie to act wiM soon be paisised — t'ho two Houses of Ooogress^ will 
come toigetihcp next \rint&r. as the Constitiution isayis, itfoey S'hall 
come, \\iitihoiit any light or gmide except tiheir coniscienoe amd: their 
purposie at thie time 'wlhen they ihia.ve to act ? 'Do tihey not know 
that wihen ^great intere.sts are ait .stake, when tiwo, three, or per- 
haps more painties in this country sihaill ihave been in a 'struggle 
hot anid exciting, t-hie blood not yet cooled, the results not yet de- 
terniiineJ. t;he di-piite still active in the public minds in aM the 
States— do not genitileman kno'w the great da^nger Which will hang 
over ns if wo noi\v refmse to a.ot? 



EjBFIMDING. 
Jan. 6, 1881. 

THiie CHA'IRIMA'X. The geinlt!lem«in from' New York is eutiitled 
to eiglit mdnaitee. 

jVlir. LOUNStBERT. i:Mlr. Ohiaiirnvani. I am oibligeid to the gen- 
tleman from Tillinois [Mr. Spi^inger] for the uuespected oppor- 
tunlity I ihaive to make a bnief expreis'slitiTO of the reaison why I 
siha'M 'oppos'e the geniei-ail propositionis oontaiined in thfe l>iH. There 
lai-e no doilbt veiy nmny of thie people of the count-ry and of my 
own oouistiitiueinoy who are 'induced tO' faivor a refnmding biW on 
account of thk? promise it aflPords for a reducticn of the (interest on 
the -niatiional debt. ©ut tdiere is -much that Is delusive in this 
promise. I esteem it of much greater importance tliat this debt of 
the country should be paid at the very earliest opportunity offorded 
to the •Govei-nment and according to the nueansi a-nd revemue of 
the Government than that it shlould be refimded at a lower ralte 
of intereslt. We miust aiSisume— and in this reispect I am greatly 
relieved in the isitiatemtent of my -\^iews• by the fa'Ct that my friend 
(from Mairylaind []^lr. i:McLa.nie] and my friend fnom Illimois [Mr. 
Springer] have given the statisticis uponj ,wfliich the proposition 
restis^-I say we niust a'ssumve that for the nex-'t few yea.ns at le;vsit 
thie (income of the Govemment will be much larger th'a.n it has 
been in the past. W'e canmOt exi>elct from this. Oonigress, and 
very (likely not fi-omi the next, any radioal chiamige in our custom 



192 

]a.ws, \vh.ere!byi t'he ipe«i>le sihia'M be relievfed from tiaxa^'iooi. W« 
m'ay bliereifiore expect 'tihte reveniuos ani'sing fix>m the inereaised 
pros])ieiiity Oif 'tire count ry wiilH girad'uiaiUy iiiieTeaise naittoea' tban 
diiiiiiiiiiwh 'froni' dutieis' oii imvports. Tlliie natiomal ireisiourices them. 
■will 'be giieia'ter, and jiet it is stated by tllie Seeretiaxy of the 
Tneti siiiry tiha-t fofr tilne kisit yeivr our rev-enu'e* furimsiWed $90,000,000 
t<o diminiiisih tbe Tiati'oniali de^bt. 

Now, siir, lif we adopt tilie propositiion of tili'is ibdll tio refund 
$.>00.000.000 'into a i>erniian.ent d'ebt, outisiide of itih« posisibi'Hty of 
being redeemed for thirty yeans, th^ere miust necessarilly be gath- 
eired iwfco itihie Tlrieia'siury an 'a^mouimt. of 'imicome -whiieh cannot be usietd 
in tUve payniemt of the publac 'debit. Umdier thie presienjt law it 
naniiot evien be usied as^ a srinkiiiig fund. Henice arisies the diflBculty 
which ibas not been stated dn thi* debate hitih'ento, bu!t whiidi to 
miy mind' is a controlling one. A lairge funidi gathered into the 
TreaiSiury wiHl ifurnfiisilu femptatiotti for Mirge and unuisiual lapplropiufl- 
ti'ons of niioniey. ^leimbeiis of Cbngness Jierie ini thte 'Hoiuse, aill of 
thieni, "are prpsis'ed by theii- i-omstituents one way or o/notlner for 
tbe oonistruietion of public buildings, fo'i' the eoimimenceraent of 
public worik's, for expenditures ujx>n those ilniat an'e already com- 
nienK?ed, or for e.xpenditmieis' upon thus imatter or that, and there 
wi'1'1 be a eonistantly inereaising presisiure Ibrougbt to be^ar upon 
them, so that extnaivagant aippropriationis of the piiblit moneys, 
lying idle in Uw Treason", whidi cannot be even oised for tHie 
pa\-'ment of ihe niatdonial debt and thie cancel I'ation of the out- 
standing bonds, wiiill inevitably ^follow. 

In the first place, by my votie and position wpon this bill, in 
allianee iwith my frieod from PennlsJ^lvaniia ['Mir. Kelley.] wiliio firom 
exactly opposiite 'motives o|>poises thisi perniia/nent debt because he 
iiees in it 'a reaisoin whiy Congiiessi will be nnoA'ed from time to 
ti'irif, and more istrongly nroved tor the iieduet'ioin of cnstonis du- 
ties, I am yxnie to 'Vote a^iaiinisit tHie piroposition of fumdinig $500,- 
000,000 becanse T fftir it niiiist mecesisiairily iplace in our Treasury a 
larye isimi of money a.nd be a temiptation th'ereby ito tbe House 
oif Re{>resenitati\'es and to tihe Senate to disioover some new faslhion 
of expending iiiioney in tliO) jjublic senviice. It is' fortainate tlmt 
tihi'S is not a party nieasaire at thliis time. Ht mighit well have 
been forced' into the rut of pai ty oonsi'deration. But we meet 
this qaiesibi^on, a purely eeoniomac and bu-sinesis one, standing alone 



193 

upon figvina? laiwl oomput'aition, fortimately; ait tlhis tiime in smcb 
manimer tfhat I fimdl Jii-gih-itdrSff mm a.ndi dbw-ibairifl ni'eiv sudh as 
imjisie'lif, tihe lead'ers of -tihe ,greeTi-iba<*k'ers' of it'he coimitny amd tlie 
toaird-mioney men of ±he coumt-ry, all albk: to iwiite an opposition 
to a, permian^nt fasteiDiimg of tHie puiblic ddbt rnpon tlh^e people of 
this country. 

[Heire itdne toammer fe'll.] 



iRIVBRS AN© HARBOEIS. 
Fdb. 15, 1881. 
iSlv. LOnST'StBElR'Y. I oflT'er an amendment wihidh 1 isend to tlue 
desk. 

Tlie Olerk read as follows: 

iSti-ike out tilie paragra'pli just reajd, na.miely, thesie vvoalds: '•Im- 
proving Floisiiing R»y, Xew York, $10,000." 

Mip. LOUNISiBEiRlY. I do not know wbat Reprpisenitaiti^e 
from' my State is dnterested in t'lie two lines of the hilll ooweii'ed 
iby my amendment; but I w'isih to 'Siayi tihat i oannot allow ihim 
exicliusa.vely to represent the intei'est® 'Off Fhishing Bay. As one 
of the Representatives o"f the iSitate of Xe|W York, and a^s repre- 
eentinig a city that ha.s isoone comnieroe in FUishinig Bay, I have 
a right to speak for that loeaHity. I want to say it is nolt p0(Sr 
sAMe to impriove Plusbing' 'Bay. iMia.rk thie kinguage of the hill 
'ws it reads: "Innproviinig Finishing Bay." 

Tihere is no more beautiful hay lit up by the sunslnne- of tihe 
early morning or the moonshine df the everting. Looik ai its 
beautiful shores wasihed by the waters of t,he Atlattltic Ocean, 
la's its Wiild waves sport and pky wiithi the Long Island coast, itis 
limipid and ipure watens showing the Little Neck da.nns fieeding 
■uipom the sanids' in this beaxitiful bay. Doubtiesis there are some 
of the oitizens of my Stj that cai-ry on a thriving trade dn these 
euooulent Little Xec^k and other damis. and, representing tihiese 
oonstdituents, I would noit haive tbisi bay imiproved so a® to destroy 
thalb oomimiei'ce. 

This pa,ra:giia-ph to be stricken out by my aniendment is> per- 
hapjs not womse than some other para'gHaiphs in thds' bi I t'o which 

25 



194 

refereiriioe m'igihit 'he maidie. It will he. oibseirvied' thait the paira- 
gi'aiph 'does molt ■relfer' i>o tiliiC irupi'oveimeiiit of ■the naviigation of 
this 'bay. It may refer t'O 'tflie iinniMov'em-emt of its* views on of 
its aippeaaaooe to t'be s'train'g'er. Th'ere imiay be 'sorme oouintry 
seat locatiedi uipoax the sloping :bamks of Flushdoig Bay tihalt is to 
Ihe Simproived by this seafcioji'. Thea-e 'is oeiitaiimly thds' Obseivnity 
in thie iamguaigte. 

I ask the latteintion of 'the cormiidlt'tee tio ihe faot that S'Oine 
'few years ag'o there was a'li appropriaitdon siiacle in the river and 
hairbor biQI for the improvemieiit of Hondout HJarboa', tihe hiaa-bor 
of my city. Tine woi'k 'waisi caiiriiied on; I w'ill ii'ot> sway it is 
carried ob to eompllietdon toiday, hiut tO' isu'Oh la stat© of perfelcitiom 
that there is not 'a sdngle nian dn my 'oity that wJ^lH father ihe 
plans 'by whdA that mioney was exipeoided; ttoere is' wot Otte single 
nvan. wiw will say he eoosiemted' to that ipla-n. There miay poss'i'bly 
ibe some dimiivddual 'O'wner of lanid ■or isbmie inicoaiporiated owiniefrs of 
Hand that that impro'vem'ent was lOalcuQat'ed to benefit, aaidl I hope 
t'hey will some time realize the fuld ad'va.ntage of the imiomey laid 
•out ini Eondiout Ha.i''bor. 

I •oan give here as I gavie a year ago^ stanidi'ng dm m.y pliaoe, in 
the minutie of timie aMottied tio- me foi- a speedv aipoai' tihe rivier amid 
(harbor ibill thea pendding, the (teistdmony 'of naviigators land owners 
of -vesisels that, 'Oid the whole, ih'e nion'ey expeinided in Bond'Oiit 
Harbor and the HuidiS'oii River, insteaid of being for the benefit of 
commerice, afford'S today an obstruietdon t'O the eommierice of the 
State, and the 'mone'y instead of belong 'metrely isiuniK in the Ibottom 
of the river has been usied) to destnoy a'nid injure the vakue of the 
river as a navigable 'Stream. The 'newspapers amd people of my 
distl-iot', so fai' as th'ey ha,v;e spokeni upon thie isiubject„ are opposed 
to this bill. They do mdt simply oppose this piaraigrapjli, they op- 
poise these apipa'opniat'ions, -oome they as S'ingile spies' or ia bat- 
tailio'ns. 

It is a 'misfoaitune that the siulbject oif imprd\'-dng tOie liivelrs and 
h'arlbors anjd the internal oommieroe 'Of the country, a very benefi- 
eeat tlliiing if pix>pea-ly managed, is not umder the negulatioai of law, 
not control'led or go-vei-ned by staitute or plan., Ibut rests alone and 
solely in the diisioretdion of the mem'bers' of a eommittiee. I will 
6'aiy no Slil word of any p€a\so'n. I do not wi'sfti to isipeak ill of 
any memiber of this oommittee. They are all h^umaiii like myself 



195 

amd like evei-y ottfoer RepnesiGnitiaitilve. Ttoey cam yieW to pres- 
su'ne,, to urgiuig, to allui-eimeiit ol imliividuails ; tihey yieki to pres- 
sm-e of iufcenest; a.nld we fiud timt aM tibe aippropa-iaitioinis. tihait are 
eonitaimed! in tihis- toiU are not maide solely toi "beaeifit the oommeroe 
of ,tih6 oooimbry. [Here the liaanmier fell.] Mt. Ohaiiinun, ^ bad 
Doit ooraiiiJilet€id wlnat I ibad to 'say upon tlliisi isiiibjeot. 

The 'OHlAURM'AX. Tbe tiime of tiie gentkma.ti lias expked. 
The CHAI1E.:MA'N. Debate lias •bean esilvausted upoan tlie pend- 
iiig ameiDdmient. 

iMr. UOUNiSlBEiRY. Under ^tlhe cia-ouniiisitanoeiS' I aisik permis- 
sion of tbe icouimiititeie to vvitbdraw tibe amiendment I liiave offered 
and to siibsititnte one in its place, to inseit afitier itlbe word "im- 
proving," in line 67, tbe AVionds, "-tih-e navigiatiooi oif;" so tibait' it 
will read "imiproving the niavigiation of Fln'sihing Bay." And I 
'desire to be 'beard' a mioment or two on tbaiti aaii«ndmienit in answer 
to my -oolleiague, wlio bas just takien liis seat, [:Mr. Coveit.] 

I wisib tO' .say tbiat I was entir-ely uinawaire tlnat my motion in 
t'be first place aft'eoted liis interest in any way, for i bave the 
mo(s>t tender feeHings of rcspeot toiward that gentfenian. Repre- 
sent'ing as I do to some cxtient MuiSibing Bay, I 'waMt, howtever, to 
wann ibim that tlhere is: gneat danigeir un laecepting an appropriation 
for 'the imipi-oviemient of the naA'igaition of that bay by diking tihe 
entrance of tibe bay, a:s is 'pa-oposed 'by the plan of the work 
1-etcomm.enided by the engSneiers. LMay I call the attention of my 
collerague to the bisitory of Amsiteirdam ? 

Mf'. COX. Or any ottber "dam." [Lauglhter.] 
avk. LOiUaSTiSBEHY. iSome gentlemen want to introduce otiheir 
"dams." I refer to Arasteirdam in no Siudi profane spirit. It 
was once la city controlling tlie Easit I'mciia trade and the com- 
uiieree of tire world. Ey :ap'i>ropriations and 'by engineering and 
diking Amstei^daan engineered and diked away itsi oommeirce to 
otber places. By the peculiar system, of engineerdnig atlopbed at 
Amist'erdami, iit ibaa now Ibecome a harlbor wheTC it is necossOTy 
for vessels to be locked iDp by inecxns of the tide-locks in order 

to neacb tbe city. 

Now, let me say generally mi tliisi matter oif a^pproipriations 
for improving ttbe mivieirs and torbors— a.nd I am noit speaking my 
Oiwn opinion alone— engineer a»s weLl as m.eml>ens on tliis flooa- 
differ as to the pi-opriety of a wnbaioi metibbd of improving rivers 



196 

aod harbors; 'tyu't I have bemv itoto 'by lengincers, and* there seems 
to be 'reiaision; in at, tlialt 'if ttore be aippa-opriaited a-nd lexpended 
S'U'Clh .smmis as are demanded for loonipleting tilie imiproviemienit ia 
iproigiiess in tlh'e leliamieil at iHell Giate by a^emioving obstiriictionis' 
t'hieire, the bar in the 'XaxiroAVS, tihrouigth which ohaiiuniel now pa>*:^'e5 
all tilie fo'iteagm ooimmeixje wibidi the city of !X'ew York Teoeives 
will ibe Taiii5ied eigthtieen inieh'es albove itis. present (heigiht. 

If gentleni'en -wiM loiok for a moment at the maitter itilney will 
see tlliait if thie ciha.nanel oif Hedl Gate 'be o'>enied 'So tlhat am addii- 
tional amiount of 'waiter fi;om Xew Yiorik Hanlboir will flo^v" out 
Wi-rough it, the leha.nneil ait the Xiari-ows will be rt>'iievied' from dis- 
ohia/rginig a eertain aimounit of the watei' from New ITo'rk Bay upoii 
©aich (receding ifeide, ;aind will aidaipt itisielf to tih'e new 'Coniditioini of 
things. Tihea'e will be n'eeded tihei'e 'a eimaller diaoniel fbr thie 
disdiargie of "wattei' 'firom X'ew York Bay tibroaigh the' Narrows, 
amd thiiis a Mi^ge portdon o^f the foreign ishipping now coaiiing to 
N(6W Y'ork thirougli tlnt^t channel will ibe diiiven away 'from the 
port, and New York and Fliis'hing Bay and all these beautiful and 
fair places wMcih 'genitlemien desiire to improtve by t'h'is (bdilil, will 
be striipped of tlie comimerce wfoidi tiney now possiesis. 

[HJeti'e the hamimer fell.] 

iMr. LOUNiSiBE'EY, In aiddlition to \\iiat I 'have already stated 
uponi thie poiint of 'order raised by the genitlieiman from. Illiaioia 
[iMr. iSpringei-,] it ihias ofccurred to m© that t'his bill caminot bC' 
'comsidered as a -gieneaial appix>pi-liatiioii bill; aoit^ 'tUiat .sieem.si toi mie 
to be the entire proposition in!\-io]\'ed' in this point of oitlier. 

A general appropriation bill, if t'hat term be the siubject of 
defimitiion, is isueh a bill a® makes appi'opriatioiii'S for exi>enises to 
"be incuiTed loir wihieh 'hav© (been ineniTed' under the general laws 
of thie Uinited' Stattes. They miUiSit 'be connected wit'li ihe' general 
operations of tilie Goviennnienit ; tlhiey must be cbiiineeted with a 
igeneral desigin for the niania,geiment of the Guixerniment. Per- 
haips t'liat 'doeiS' not give a very coimiplete deti'nition, buit i;. is suf- 
ficient to show tlue definiitioin I now propose to niiake asi applicaible 
to this bill. 

Tlhei-© is lio genciial law, tttnere is' no genieral 'Sfclieme for the 
i'lnprovenvent of rit\-ers and haa-<bors. rihere is in fact no general 
'pnrpose exiwessed in a'ny 'la(w for internal 'mproivements. Ttticire 
is not in the Oonstitution any exiw^crision oi ipurpoi^e 'tfliat the 



197 

GiOivernmenit sliould miabe amy general law for inter iHal imiproi\ie- 
irnents. If CongTess slioiild undertake to niakt' intermil imiprove- 
nionts, or iuiiprovemeiit's of rivers and liarboai* ainjder geueriai sitat- 
ube, it woU'Ld linsi 'be niecessajy to adopti a, desiga and purpoise in 
regaaxL itb Itlbose imipi'oivemenitis. 

lAnid tihen tlliere silioauld be a geneiral stiatute applieablf to the 
S'U'bjeot, so eovedng it that Congines® caald act upon it wiirthin cer- 
tain! defijned laimdl speeiiied liuiiitte. 'Saw itJiere iWas been, no sucii 
generail design adapted; no isuoh geneinail la.\v pasised'. Flroan tllie 
veiry 'beginning tili'is ipanticu'lair iclaiSiS' of 'aippl^O'pralationB■ repoa'ted 
iipotm tihe Oomiiuiitltee on Comtnierc-e Jias not 'been elastsed wiitHi tiie 
ondinary and geneiial appiropnia tioms' which Ooragness antmuiaHily 
(makes., The;}' ihave been neferTed tO' tbe iL'oimimittee oia.< Com- 
nieree, a.nd t'hat cauiainilttee 'baiSi aeted upon t'lieni as if it 'had no 
guide, mo Ha^w, no idlis'ca'etdom 'but what ih'aisi bean iptopeiily ddiin'ed as 
tihe law of tog-Toil'ling as Avell as tog-floatiing. Tlhey seem' to be 
contro'Medi Iby oei^t'aiin imiettoodisi of eoanpensiation 'bet'Wieein tliem- 
selves lais to t'he distributiooi of tihese iniproivemenitis am»nig tbe 
difl'erent ipamtis of tili'e doiinitry, 'not 'by Hiniy generad "plain or regiilla- 
ftiion, mot :by any isiciheme wJiioii t'he 'Go'vei'inimen^ Ibas devised or 
orgamiized, not by lanij general! rstat'ute wii'i'cih ihais^ eiver been dis- 
ouisised or ifrianued; not eveni by any geneiriil sfiheme or ipLain wihicii 
engineail^J, dift'ening and di\iiding ■aimoinig tibemiselvesi, m'ay hlave pilo- 
posed as n. (propiei- plia-n upon which tihe GO'Vernment' S'hould mo- 
eeed in tlhis 'matter. 

EaiCih indtiTiduail proijxjisiitio'n .stands upon it.s ispeidilal mierits, or 
■ratilier lupou t!lie nieriits of some one of t'he exee'lllem't. Kepresen- 
taltives w'hlo suriiound iine. And I 'coukl 'ulisih tihait I hiad in nnysel'f 
soni'e .>ipe'ci«il ex<e'liifn.ce so th«it I migb't commend myisielif in refer- 
enk.ie to 'tliis da^s^ of appropidatioms', so. asi to. be ibieimefifently u.nd 
genicroii,s.ly t.reated by, tilie Comimittt'e on Comimeroe. 

This okss o.f aipp.ropriatioin'S' isi .aibsoluteiliy sipeoiail. It ist not 
cioriitiroMjed Iby any gen'eral few; it is a'bsolutelliy ais. free ais t'he 
<air. 'The spHi-it wilviob seenTsi 't.o conitroil tiliis coni'mittee in pre- 
j^aring tlieise billi-v is' not t'he ispirit oi law, bnt t'lie sipirit of fonu- 
pensation betiweem 'tihemseilvlete, ■sipecdal, complete in Sitself, and' un- 
goA'erned iby an.y 'law. 

I Ih'ave .compared it to t'hipi wind', 'bult tlic wind .is. gfovcr'n'eid by 
laiw; 't'here i3 a law wihidi reguliates t'he wind, ainj) tlhei-e is a law 



108 

wMioh regulaties' tbe watei' oooiiises'. (But till© Comimilttee on Ctom- 
meirce, Vt-iKii iheiy are oonisdidieiriTig tilites^g 'bilils, liiaiS' 'IDo law, uxo regu- 
d'aiticn, no I'ule. This its not a geneiiil aipprojpa'iatio'tt (biM, but 
special in tine very^ 'Worst seotse oi thai terim'. 



aiiE'SSu^GE FKOLM THE SENATE. ; 

Feib. 19, 1881. 

Tile ooimiuiattiee dnifloriuitally rose; and Mr. Lotin>sb;ett-y having 
tiaJvCiQ the ohaUr as Speaker pro' teonpioric, a aniesstige irmn. the 
Senate, Tjy. ifr. Biinoh, its iSeorietary, was net-eiiveid, aiiiniouinicing 
Obat the Stnalte had acoeptied the invitation extiendted by the 
Hbuse ol iRepreBenitatlivtB tb^ altt«(ad tihe funeral of t!hi© iatie Hon. 
Ferniandio AVood todby. 

iMlr. OLYiMEtR,. I ask foa- :tlie readliiig of the niesisage from 
the Senaite. 

The SPE'AJIvEiR ipito teuipoa-e. The uiesisalgc will ibe read um- 
lesfi itliiere be otbjeotdbn. 

There wasi no oibjection. 

The C'lerk read as Mtowtsi: 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES, 

February 19, 1881. 

Reistoilvied, Tih'ait ipu'ns.uant tio the iinviitaitibn of the House of 
Riepreseintatives the 'Senate wiill' tidijoiini tliliiSi day at two o'eloi'k 
p. m. in wider tlo petnniit the nuenibers and oflBeers of tine Senate 
to attend the funeiiiil ol Hon. Femanido \Yoml, laite a member 
0(f tilie House of lleipiieisentatives fnoan thte Stiate of Nefw Yoa'k, at 
his liat© resddence in tMsi oity, at thlreei oi'doiek p. m. 

Re'solved, That the Secretary comtmuwilciate the fbregtoiaig reso- 
liit'iom iX) the House of Kepresentatiives'. 

ADORlECSiS OiF !M(R. LOiUNSIBEHiY. 

Feb. 28, 1881. 

Mi\ 'SiPEAJvEll. Ti\<ii voi<.-e of my colleague hut lately scund- 
ed in, thiie Hall Today it ds forever huished. Hist ibody lies 
siefpulcheredi 'w^th the dead. The mournful duities oif his' associ- 
ates connected with his obbiaiuies dose with ^.hc present hour. 



199 

I shall not iud'nilige in 'fiuilsioan'e adulation; ibut I sihall mingle wdith 
dt'liers iJn miaking a tcuth'tul pantiraitiU'i-ie o. a life largeliy dievolted 
to ■^iie initoMc service, 'awl enidedi 'wiiiile mgaged in a mosit earnest 
and eXhaiis'-iiig .sitnigigle in tue int^n-est of Ivisi couaitii}-. I woiild 
rendier lieiie tli^ 'lie'>'-on of Ihis life, bred of self -insti-iiiot ion and 
detennvined effort; prnjected among a people Cf .wliiioh ih'e was 
tiuily a part, a>nd ended aim id duities -tlliat had ibectotme congenial 
to liiis iliaibits' amid 'natiiirie. 

Fenrta'ndlo Wood! was boato in 1812, at IFluikidelphia, (wilvere 
his parents werie tempoiarilj residing. He watS' reaced in New 
York Oiity. At .tilie age of Llhirteeni yeans, on 'h'is own aicc-o-unlt, 
but 'wiitili t'lre ec.nsetit of his pairemtsi, he took eimployment in a 
book-store, and itilien/c-^lforvvaTd sirpported himseM atniL ediiio'^ied 
him'sellf A'eny :}-'0iUng, he itook |>ari in the ilotai polities of hiis 
city, and ait the a.gie ol t!\veinity-ei,',"lit was- ed'eeted tO' ConigTessi 
from one of 'the diity di'striatissaindseaived for t)\V|0> yeans in the same 
Ck):ngres:s w^itii Daniel Webster, 'Hemry. Oky -md John V. Oalhonn, 
foinniing an intiimaite acquaiaitanOe witih the 'twky la.titer. 

He retnrnied at the end of hi.si terim, 'svitlh his business k-okem 
ii'P by ihis "politioal iservJees and with the i^ei-iolve nevei- more to par- 
ticipate in polities, but tb devb'te himself exelusi.veily^ tO' building 
np a. fortune. He adhered to this/ resolutionj until' ihei had) suie- 
ceieded to hfe satisfaetion. He had been isiucfieissf.ul iaa^ business. 
He thad built up a is-hipping trade whieh, with, seiveral fortiimate 
veiwtures, 'had iiade hihi in 1854 an aticumailatibn of giains on 
\Vhieh hie felt juisititield in retiring, from adtive business. He 
had had th sagacity whien the gold diseoveriefii made California 
a field for adventures to land sevienal eartoadis of goods at Sa,n 
Fmrneilsico and wiith the pnofitis to purehase (real eistlate there. He 
lalsio bloiigiht •l^ela^ esitate .in Xelw York Cityi, amd (with the gi-owiing 
prosperity of tb'e country he becanie a. man of wealth as that 
^vord -was used at that 'tiime. IHe then again felt a.Me to in- 
diu'lge httis old fondnesis for jwliitite^ and lie wasi elected [MJaybr 
of Nenv York in 1854 amd re-electted for t'wo isu>bsequ'ent terms. 
In 1862 lie wasi ellocted to a .siealt in Congi^is® fix>m 'dhe nlinth sew 
York district, and he hia-s without break helkl this seat. It 
seemed to be the fixed determination^ of his const ituentls. to con- 
tinue hdm in Congress ti'il bis deatli. At; the lastt' election, 
t'hbugh continuoutsiLv eomfined Ito hiis house by sicknJe^p, and 



200 

though his paTity wais dividedi iby Tiivail linidtions, hte wais aiga'in 
elected to hisi tenit'hi siU'Oces.siii\-e t.eTm iThis itenn, by reaison of 
his dieath, he has not been aible to en'tiea* upon. 

His Congress io ma 1 igerxdiws connietet ithel dieoeaseicl with a-n 
ev'^nttful pmtold' Oif his country's history. He sat in. thi* Hiallil 
white tiWe i-^preisentatives of miaoiy, of ihe 'States were a-hBiemlt firom 
their seats "by isiec-ession; wihile la war of the siaotioas was' iii) aebive 
progresKi; while reeonisfi-tiildtion' was ipmciiginig !by cotnfliteting propo- 
®itionis; white the wialste of war 'waisi giving plawe tb lie st oration; 
and 'Wihiie the erieldii'fc o(f ithe efourttry was beinlg xieibui'lt. Wlhen 
his party came aigain to a. majority in tliis Hofirse: he wais oaaidle 
Chairmian olf tiie 'Oonvmittee on Wiayis and.' Meatnis, He pantiioi- 
pated in the enai'tinienib of ilaiwis that tiended to returning prois- 
peirity. He paii: iieilj>ated in the taiiuimii")iliisi of a coin resumption 
bj- t'he Titasurji, He isiaw the govera'ment 'bonds appreicia>ted 
m tlhe marke'ts of tlie world. His f^toitfe has hwdily yet died 
/ailong the wa-Mte of this Ohaimibeli lin the eloquent eSpresislBon! olf his 
eonfidence lin ihe goverinimiemt credit 'aind in 'ts ability bo nefund ibs 
redeemable inde'bt'edniests at the rate oi 3 pei* ■cent. 

I was one of imnny interestied. witneisses of 'hi si la<sit amd moslt 
earnest effortu His voice wias' ailready broken by appiiioia.(^hinig 
diisso'hition, but has mind was clear: He seeimedt d'eterimined to 
/lea\^ this act impresised Uipon the finianciail history of his countrv 
as a monument, to hits 'legi'.s1ative eaireer. Those who isaw the 
dyinig statesman «is he iietirc<d from the House aiflteir the res'Uilt 
of tlie vote upon his biii'l had ibeen announeed .were imeisdi.<itab'y 
reminded of 'tihe ^viordls of 'the dyinig Adalmsi: 

Thi:s' is tlh'e kist of tarth, and I am eomtent. 

This pieturei in outline is that of a. suiceelsisfi^l oareer Of 
pinrinenee achievied as a legds ator under sueh ciiir<>(umsitanlcesi ais 
moke his case, titou^h noi exceiptibnal eiiflieient'ly Tare to mairtk 
it o« a niOtable event. Though, edxiifeted to trade, he wais nimt 
unsuecessiful a^s a.n oraitor. 'Without rthie ^learning of the books 
lie had b*ome civl'tured in state-craft. He wasi the reiprelsenta- 
tive of a olalsis of ipublie men in hAsi country who haivei suidoeeded 
by a pos.itive purpose without the aid of erudition. He AViiiis 
])ecuiliarily (the ehi'ld of his 'c4ty, and was Ihonored by it because 
he so fit'ly I'epresented its groiwth and its .praetiicad iiabi'ts and 
metJhods. 



201 

The ideceased .was miaigr.ifi'cGn't witbout a?benltot.fon. Wihim 
he was oaiirylinig on a shipp'i'ng t'rade wiHi immidnise proifits his office 
was. staa.lH anidl ill-fairai-sihed. His Tesklemce am Xiew York, 
thbugh prinicely in itis estenit and) in its appoiinitrntenltis, was pllaiin 
nmld vvdthoait o.rna>nieint tb a!t.tiia.ot ith© eye o-f tilve stranger. At 
Ms h<w»e in W:a.9hdngtt.(wi, where Ihe waig beyiorid ,pi^ec-eden)t liberal 
in Ms hioSipTiitiality, ^he did no'tlhing to a;ttr:atrt oteervation. Hia 
funeral obsieq^uies were conduatied aeeordinig to his wishes in swh 
manmer ais to repel pniblic demioni^tratibin !to. tois memoaiy. 

The dweas'ed Wad much store in ihi* fomlily and 'his fireside. 
He leaives a suarvivinlg fataily olf eteven Arl'daien, not spoiled by 
tendeam^ss, but reao^ed imder tihe affectiiana.te eye of a deiA^ot'dd 

father. 

His will, duaiwn wh'en he biaid reason to exipecit a speiedy daat'h, 
shows t.hat his dhd«^ coiileeim wais to make ample pro^vfrsion for the 
oare of his afflicted widoiw. 

We have jVult. away in his tomb mir distini^iasHied aisisooiate. 
A column lias fallen not easily repiMtced. I mmiTn fin him a 
last friiend. Tlie conmtry has no longer feis wise and devoted 
^jounsielfe.. BiGi firet^ide is desol^it-eld of ihiis m.re c.M proteotion. 
We Wave leift 'only the xecoltection of a 'histony I'o-unded oiit to a 
nipe and complete if.raStion. We can riesit alone in the re-mem- 
bnanee of Hs adhievemc'nte — 

For miemloirly fe the orJly friend 
That grief can caDl her own. 

26 



CARRIER'S ADDRESS. 



[Written for the Kingston Journal, January 1, 1876.] 

Hoiw; siowily miniutieBi pass: we look and look Sa vain', 
Andl sltirain,, to hear tlhi© Avhiiistil© .olf tielatiadl Itrain, 
■Wih^en iwa-ttihinig ini tine- lowely ndgihit ait sSek-lbied sddie^ 
With w'hait a is4ug'giis'li piaoe t-he hianiclls upon the diaJ glide ! 
■The tardy dia wn is il'a.t,e, the stiui is. slow tio rlise; 
Timie hiandily mo'ves, peireeipftible to ilongilng' eyieisi. 

But quiekfly leomies fthfe' Inead'ed day when rienit isi due. 
And rapicl ni<ns, the nUnolty dtiys, ^whien I O U. 
■Bow qiuiekly spee'dsi appointed day df feloin''i3 doom; 
A'n.d ithbugh, tto heirsy, tho dkll seeim: silO'W in niiakiin(g mom. 
Y&b, to itihiemselvieis, om rapid wing the' giMye diraiwis mciar, 
Aoid moments fly, as^ they to death wppnoiaioh with f eiar. 

We iloiok ahead^ — how Ibn^' thie 'cominig 'week a|pipeiai'Si; 
Whem lookinig iback, hoiw quick we sioan ome ihumdired yeai'isl 

IMs exjcfunsion of (fancyj, so. little expeclted, 
Is unfitted tio ractrie, lomg measure leKiociAedj 
An,d a Oardier Boy, tliougli early he niselsi, 
■Is n'ot always cut out for poefical prdzes. 
But this is the year, no dowibt you all Icnow it — 
Whien eiveryi good hoy is a Cenltienndaili poet; 
And lonlg mebne wa,s u'siedl — andi no omie: has wondered' — 
Forever beiove this^ m isfiniging ''Old Hundli'ed." 

1776. ; ,; 

Ono early morn, at light of dawn,, 

iE^our hundred men manohed cu-t with Vau^ghm. 



208 

Tihey ilid. expec't to give a t'o^uioh. 
Of briuiiSitianie ito itihie 'So'puBi Divticli., 
They fortmeid tlioir lines uipoii tihe' '"Strainid;," 
Ainldi took tlie roiuite' timt ihey liaid' piaaiiDeid. 
A't isunriisie tthey^ hiaid readied ttoe pllac© 
Wliidi now ibe Oity Hall doeiS' gmaoe; 
Aii'd, squaltit'lng do'wn amoiuig ttoe 'ti'iees^ 
Theyi to'ok a whiff of mioninling 'bii&eze. 
And tlbouigiiit ttdiait tliey Avioiuilid not <be naJslh, 
And miandh. on mo're: wi'ttootut thieir (haisdi. 

All ifliiS' m'ovemienti had been seiein 
By Kingston miieai on isiciiooll-lh'Ouis'e! greieai; 
And woaid ivviasi i^as^ed from ome to' oinie, 
"'Lope, yiUnigoT! lope! 'the Roiayier ooimei!" 
Amid young and O'ldi — ''fawa/s not a- few — 
"L/oiped" thiroiuoihi ttoe fields, "nor iHuailey itoi." 
And so the reid-'ooa'ts, wlieai tjiiey ca-mie;, 
Foiulid uiougiht itO' da ibu't malk'e a flaim'e ; 
,To tburn (the 'tiow-n ntone did resist, 
As some ihMiOirianjs do dnsisit. 

No records oif fahlat day wer© fo'umd, 

TMil iSnpervisoinsi hiaid (themi Ibo-uoiid. 

They had a mam translate tlhe Dutoh — ' 

It isieemisi he did i'fc lofvenmu'dh : 

The wihole thing waiS', iti laicit, tilaai!3ila(te(d, 

Emt haw or wheirei, is, n.o(t> related; 

And ,we -aire (lefit quiitie in tto diairk. 

Without a single >ray ox 'Spiarfc 

To light iQUiT wiay, that we oan see — 

Quiit© iliike DuBois with IS'ttle b. 

Now, oinloe Tve 'damttioft bui'ld om f a<;t|, 
iSome fianicy wiill penhapis <atitraat. 
And we Avtilll writle tihe hSsitany ouit 
To saitisify tlhe -verliesit loTiit, 
And iSotpus tWooigh isiomewthat behinid 
(A ifianlt the Dultdli 'willl mever miind), 
Will have a dhanioe to oeilebrate 



204 

In laomie Bttniall way, ait any mite, '" 

H'0|W mriKch we 'diidi to free tlie land 
Andi get Oenteiwiiail stuff on diamld. 

It is a tPaict, quiiti© iWeLl aipiprov-ed^ , 

fTihat we were omly oTi't-imaaioeuivredi; 

The 'plainmd'nig Oif our winoilo deif eo/sesi r 

Was crippled by th&k great expenses. 

We tia|d too loing a rlivier-fixxnit, 

Tb 'be velil walled' las' it ihiadi wonlt; 

In sdiioiii a strai't fit wafei agreed! 

Toi man tlie place vs^hieh mosft tod need. 

Oh, Ooddingttion 'tihien 

Wie ihiaid ineed, 'oif your mien, 
A neglmiemlt dajpiperi aoid Itiruej' 

Aia Vralianit amdi bnave. 

The coumtryi to save, 
Asi ever direisisied' up in tlhe bluie. 

f ' Noi Uriton could sitajid 

In laransi on oiui: land, 
iWiieai iwe loooiMi ihave Avfairinioms like you; 
Nio Ejoisendale luo'ti 
0am Buooeed, wti'en thie fiat' 
Brings out our bold isoldiersi in Mue^. 

> In 'fironft. .and in- rleiar^ . , ; 

Ouir town tos^ noi faar. 
With soidh, good diefenders dm viietw; 
We Biaifiely niay trust, 
A'Si «v<eir wa miust, ■ i 

The liietTYe of our isoldieiTB' in ibluie. 

^On tihe Sundlayi before Ithie coming of Vaughtn, 

The Aasemfbly in sessi'oaii tod omderc 1 in tforiini 

Thiat ithie itnoqpsi of itihe 'Oounty, coanmamded iby Tajppen, 

Sihoulld oomie down ftlve WiaiHkill, io a«it as- mdgflilt Siiappeai. 

It was preadiicd ifchlait day in 'the scnmioin' by Godtidhioiis, 

ThlaJt broaikii'ng fhe iSaiblbaitli -a iliesson would teladh uisi, 



305 

Thiait leigilsiliaiting on Simdiay %va3 going too far 
Wiltili the vieryi bad maxim, '•Xo ■Satoba.tli in wjar." 

Howiev&r tMs reasoniag, alt 'timies, we miay siMgM, 
Th>e resulit sih'owied) t'lie Doanime'ai prediotion wiaw righit; 
For our troops-, ithough t'liey iiiaaxihied at Hha speed olf a rout. 
Only, neiaidhed, in diBordeii-, the Mil called Kaiy Kuj^t. 
iTIheiy saw to ibheir siora-oiwi, iif nioit to thie'ir sihiaime, 
Thait tbe people had fled:, amd 'tlifeir hoiise© in flame. 

1876. 

The paipeas- qui'te laiiely, li'o\ve"er t'hey dosiiie, 

'Ca^n find ito record riudlii a very knge fi're. 

To coimp^eito tihe; accoumt in the usual wiay, 

Accoa-ding to- cufsitom estabfelhied to-day, 

'We should stpeak of tibe Firemien, -what th©y endured. 

Of thie ioiSBiesi ttihait hiatpipentd, and wdiat iwiasi diisua-ied. 

One word olf tlhe Slteamer, o<\w giliony; and pride, 
As ;deair to the boy* aisi a Ibvely yoiumg bride; 
Its. Ibrase'es all biighit, and itis miemlbeiislhSp full, 
It 'has miodis! like a Fulton^S), and 'bodies, like iiuH. 

By two. iho'rsiesi drau-n:, ait a spaiiillcinig siwiflt. paiee, 
It was eanly on liiand, with the hloste sitretioh«d in pla,oej 
Itls amoking and pufl's' and the oro'Wtd gaitllnea-ied. nean 
iSooui made us all ithink we iiad' nothing to fear. 

We waited soniie itim;e, expeidtiuig the sltireani, 
Quite ready to iwitness the wondete of steam; 
An impatienit by-stander, an imfp-ei'timent loult., 
Aninounoedi tO' tilne crow'd that t.he wtntfer waci out,. 

•'The eistoirtn'is not uuit," isa'id it>he Chief,, "ilt is fiullil; 
I found it last Sunday; six fetet by my rulle.." 
"It's not that," said the man, "I'm no bi-olUcr, 
I only say there is none in th.e boiler." 

Thea-e's. a anoi-al in tlhisi, ^lou eaai see it o.r uOiL : 
fHhat you ne''er s'o 'LO' war withouit ^our pildh hot. 



206 



Airidi anotihieir I'v:e 'found, 'VMitliout sitmaiiniing any eyesi, 
I'Jd tdil for a quarlter, tio your gireaifc S'Umivise: 
Tbat m»ney you give n'oiw is nio greiat exipenisie, 
Th'e loss you'll not 'feell one lumdred; yeaTO 'hemice. 



CARRIER'S ADDRESS. 



[Written for the Kingston Journal, January 1, 1878.] 

Verbum s«i!.— Franklin. 

The chilly wind of Winter 

Its solemn requiem sings. 
To us among the living 

A warning voice it brings ; 
O'er grave-mounds of departed 

A snowy mantle flings. 

The old clock on the mantel 

Ticks off the moments flying : 
A sad refrain its music 

To north wind's solemn sighing — 
A sad refrain to silence, 

In which the year is dying. 

A warm stove sheds its radiance 

About my quiet room ; 
A brilliant-burning gas-light 

Dispels the outer gloom: 
My mind is weaving fabrics 

From Memory's magic loom. 

'T is said Recording Angel, 

With stenographic pen, 
Takes down each deed that's acted 

Among the ranks of men, 
And stereotypes the annals 

Beyond our mortal ken. 



208 

We better know what man does 

In this reporting age: 
How rapid "Graphic process" 

Can easily engage 
To make description clearer 

Than Livys pictured page. 

Not like the old News -Letter, 
Which traveled like a drone — 

The talk is now by lightning 
From Ind to Polar zone. 

Accompanied by music 
Of magic telephone. 

At opening year, unraveling 

This tangled web of facts, 
The Carrier of the Journal 

Again his noddle racks — 
Again his rhyming budget 

Before the world unpacks. 

Duo Homines. — Latin Lexicon. 

The first of importance to all mankind 

Is the (question of money — so I find. 

I believe it generally now is found 

There isn't enough to go all the way 'round. 

Some scheme to make up what it lacks us 

For household expenses and taxes. 

Is wanting — a genius inventive. 

To devise some certain preventive 

Against hard times— a Congressman Bland, 

With a silver bill ready at hand, 

When the silver gives out, to employ. 

To make it go further, a baser alloy. 

'T is his plan that's relied greatly on 

In solving le question d'argent. 

Another good plan now proposed 

(It's a scheme resurrected 

Where least was expected 
A thought of such greatness reposed). 



209 

Is by Winne, whose first name is "Hank" — 

His machine is wound up by a crank: 

A toll-gute erected in every street 

Is surely enough our expenses to meet. 

There is no other phin, to my mind, 

So well adapted to "raising the wind." 

Nihil fit. — Terence. 

In the war that's now raging 'twixt Russian and Turk, 

Some questions of interest to women may lurk. 

If the Turks rule the roast, as they possibly may, 

The power of Islam how can we gainsay ? 

The Old Turk himself, growing quite harum-scarum, 

May come over here to replenish his harem. 

If the Cossack prevails, and the Turks lose their lives. 

What, then, will become of their innumerable wives ? 

It's more likely, we think, if the Turks are o'erreached, 

That the Russians will be by the widows bewitched; 

And thus it may happen, as a dernier resort. 

That the arms of the women save the Ottoman Porte. 

Let's be thankful, at least, that, while war rages there. 

In peace most profound we are all living here. 

No show of disturbance, since quelling the riot. 

Is annoying the town, or dispelling its quiet. 

Whilst armies of Turks o'er the Balkans may roam, 

We can sit down in peace, 'round our Turkey at home. 

Mus cucurrit, plenum sed, 

Contra magnum 7)ieum ad. — Anon. 

The toughest old subjects to tackle, I own, 
Are found anywhere in this dumb-bell-built town. 
In taking its census in municipal matters, 
No senses are found except when one flatters. 
The power behind is a man "down the hill," 
Who runs the machine, without paying the bill. 
The Street Overseer is kept down in Rondout, 
Top-dressing the streets week in and week out; 
While the streets up in Kingston are left without heed- 
Without the repairs that they very much need. 
The pavement adopted no sensible man 
Would contrive or approve as a suitable plan ; 



210 

It has proved, iu a year from the time it was laid, 
That predictions were true that the tax-payers made : 
The money spent on them, we surely have found, 
Is buried in mud too far under-ground. 
A good, solid bottom — we admit that is right; 
But we certainly want some bottom in sight. 
The coating of mud should be spread out so thin 
That the average horse doesn't fear to wade in. 

We make for the horse — and it's no more than fair — 

This solemn and earnest complaint to the Mayor: 

If the Mayor will make streets that are worthy the name. 

Every horse will unite in a heave to his fame ; 

With unanimous voice we will constantly pray — 

No steed or his rider interposing a neigh. 

Lignum apis. — Scotch Cobbler. 

A fig for the days that are gone — 

The days of the Old Year now ended ! 
A fig for the good fellow's yarn, 

With the past that alone is blended ! 
No rest with the end that's attained, 

Or with moneys securely invested ; 
The future had all to be gained — 

The good that's to come, to be tested. 

The boy has his bauble of boots. 

The girl hopes to win a good fellow ; 
Past sorrows pulled up by the roots, 

We can all get delightfully mellow. 
While passing from manhood to age. 

There are still many good things before us ; 
Old-fashioned good times, we'll engage, 

The future again will restore us. 

A health to the New Year ! all bright 
With promises radiant and golden — 

With life-scenes more strange to the sight 
Than stories of fable are told in. 

Gather 'round the hospitable board. 
With family, friend or with neighbor; 



311 

Ini a-Qviellisi ylou. well may affoildl 
■A ibrielf reilaxiatioia fnoiini labor. 

ITIhe iiiewsiboy maw elosesi hm Bouig 

A ,proper Aniaca'eo'ii fimisih.: 
We lliope it wi'H not foe itthlougilit wuionig' 

His (braliiii witih; good win'e to replemislh. 
(Hiea-e's a health to tihe Mue-.ri'bbion.' men! 

(Let's: all sitairt today reformiatdoim; 
We'll ,niever da-inik whisky agiaiai, 

iBiut live on an aipple-jaiok ratiomj! 



MAYOR'S INAUGURAL. 

March, 1878. 



Gentlemen: My position liere has come unsought. Not the 
less am I mindful of the honor conferred, and of the responsibili- 
ties imposed by it. I have avowed to myself and I here avow to 
you and to all interested in the affairs of the city, a purpose to 
act impartially, honestly and w'isely. If I come short of that 
end either by my own infirmities or by false counsel or the want 
of your aid, on myself will rest the humiliation; but the graver 
injuries will be participated by all. On that account I ask your 
aid and all good advice and co-opei-ation. 

At no time in my experience as a man have the people been 
so watchful of their public servants, or shown a more active re- 
sentment against negligence or dishonesty in the public officer. 
You will not take it amiss if I advise each of you that your con- 
duct will be closely scanned. We may as well here invite a close 
scrutiny into our conduct and motives. I will not advise a ser- 
vile fear of popular clamor. An honest purpose to do the right 
thing will outlive any sudden expression of the peoi)le based on 
misapprehension or prejudice. 

With the help of your action, I shall immediatelj' procure a 
report from each of the city officials having charge of the various 
accounts, so as to obtain official statements of the present city 
debt and annual expenditures for the last and preceding years 
during the existence of the city. I propose to consolidate and 
tabulate these statements and submit them to the Common 
Council during the present month with such suggestions as may 
be thought proper. I am advised that there are certain depart- 
ments that are conducted on a scale of expense out of proportion 
to the ability of the people at the present time to pay. If pos- 



213 

sible we must reduce the city expenses. There are many families 
that by failure of income have been obliged to lay aside luxuries, 
and I am sorry to state the fact that very many are reduced to 
the necessity of doing ■without bread, and their blanched faces 
make a very strong appeal to us to lift up as much as possible 
the bm'dens of the government, which belong to all the people 
alike, and must be borne alike by the rich and the poor. 

In my election and in that of some of the members of yom* 
body there has worked an influence which is growing on the pop- 
ular mind. During the last decade there seems to have sprung 
up a mania for expensive and imposing public structm'es. I need 
not enumerate how much of that has existed here in this city. 
We have not been unlike other places, but we have been too apt 
copyists of an unwholesome sentiment, which natm'ally grows 
into the mind of the public officer to be well housed. 

The people are jealous of their public servants who have bet- 
ter houses than they can atford for themselves, especially when the 
structures impose an onerous biu'den of debt and tax. City 
Halls, Alms-houses and school-houses should always be kept care- 
fully within the style of structure of the masses who pay for 
their building, else they will shortly make the government, char- 
ity and education unpalatable to the people. 

This city, since its organization, has been, according to my 
opinion, too extravagant in its public structures. My public ex- 
pression of this opinion has been lately used to discredit me with 
the people. 

"Still stands the forest primeval; but under the shade of its 

branches 
Dwells another race, with otlier customs and language." 

The principal tlioro ugh fare between the two ends of the city 
has been relieved from a hindrance to its proper use as a street 
by the voluntary and actual abandonment of it by the Plank- 
Road Company. The toll-gato. after \\andering around for a 
place to rest, has at last been removed. I congratulate your 
body that a constant source of vexation to our own citizens and 
to strangers and to your proceedings is disposed of forever. 
Union avenue has now come fully i»to the possession of the city 
for use as an open public street, and I call your attention to the 



214 

important questions which will present themselves to your con- 
sideration in putting it into proper condition for travel. 

I recommend that the grade of the street be at once estab- 
lished for its entire length, having in view its importance as the 
principal avenue in a large city, such as this one is expected to 
become. 

I also recommend that you at once proceed to fix, either by 
agreement or by ordinance, the rights which the Horse Railroad 
Company is to possess in the streets through which the road is 
operated, and the obligations it owes to the city and to the own- 
ers of property. If not fixed, grave difficulties and expensive 
suits are likely to spring up from time to time. This may be 
avoided by judicious action in defining the rights and duties of 
each. 

I consider it of great importance that all local feeling of hos- 
tility should cease between the two sections of tho city. This 
hostility is the creature of the separate existence of the old vil- 
lages united under the city charter, and of the manner in which 
the union was brought about. It is high time it should cease. 
I have been chosen by the whole city. I am not conscious of a 
present preference to the people of either part, and I shall en- 
deavor to act impartially to all interests, and my influence will 
be directed towards preventing any action on your part based 
upon any consideration of preference as between the two former 
villages. In my opinion om' action should be absolutely con- 
trolled by considerations of the general welfare rather than that 
of individual or location. 

Twenty thousand people have committed to us the manage- 
ment of their public affairs. It is a grave responsibility. You 
would be Iield as no good citizen if you were not willing to ex- 
pose your life to protect the liberty and property of your city. 
By the same consideration you are required to use your wisdom, 
integrity and time in the proper performance of j'our present 
duties. 

I now await youi- fiurther pleasure. 



VETO MESSAGE. 

June, 1878. 



Tlio ]\[ayor returned the resolution relating to tlie issue of 
bonds for funding the debt as disapproved for reasons given in 
the following communication: 

To the Common Council: 

I retiu-n without approval the resolution adopted at your last 
meeting, providing for the printing of the bonds under what is 
known as the Funding bill passed at the last session of the Legis- 
latm-e. 

I have no copy of the act referred to in the resolution. I know 
of but one in the city — the one procured in manuscript from the 
Secretary of State for the purpose of framing the resolution. 
The bill has not yet been publislied in the Session Laws or print- 
ed in the county papers. I can only speak of it from a single 
reading. But the subject is understood in its main features. 
The bill provides for postponing tlie payment by the city of all 
its funded debts, accruing during the next four years, for a term 
of from ten to thirty years. 

I have opposed, from the beginning of this discussion, this 
project. I voted "Against" at the election at which the plan was 
submitted, and my convictions stand not only unchanged, but 
rather solidified and strengthened by reflection upon the subject. 

I might object that the resolution in question was premature. 
If the measure is an expedient to bridge over the "hard times," 
it might fairly be expected that all possible delay would be taken, 
so that action might depend upon a revival of prosperity. Such 
a revival is predicted. There are many signs that it, is approach- 
ing rapidly. My own conviction is that it will commence, so as 



216 

to be very perceptible, during the present year, and that, during 
the four years covered by the projected postponeraept of debt- 
paying, we ■will enter upon a. period of very active speculation 
and that kind of prosperity which is usually denominated '"good 
times." But such periods, which ebb and flow in this and every 
country, are in a gi'eat measme artificial. They are not sure evi- 
dences of prosperity or healthy financial condition. Individual 
and national prosperity is inseparably connected wth freedom 
from debt. An individual and a nation may appear to be pros- 
perous when their debts are the largest. But the signs are 
deceptive. They aie in fact not prosperous, and cannot be. The 
tendency is to an increase of debt and to ultimate bankruptcy. 
It is a delusion that postponing debt relieves from the troubles 
of the coimtry. The war and its expenses, and the luxurious 
habits which the jjopulation fell into from its eff'ects, have pro- 
duced the debts and loss of property and "hard times." The 
relief and restoration must come from the payment of the debt, 
and the new accumxxlation of savings. This will be reached 
quickest by the hard lessons of the present. Frugality and indus- 
try must be taught; and these lessons are learned slowly in the 
school of necessity. Economy in government must be taught; 
and that lesson must come from the people feeling the pressure 
of the government. 

I consider, therefore, that the question lies deeper than mere 
expediency. There are, no doubt, persons in this and every com- 
munity, who believe that slight relief will save them from threat- 
ened financial embarrassment. Their case is entitled to consid- 
eration — ^to sympath}', even; but I assume that the mass of 
property liable to pay the debts of the city, is held by persons 
who have so managed their aflfairs that they are able to pay now 
as they ever will be. They have a right to demand that the 
opportunity shall not be taken from them to clear their property 
as rapidly as possible from the bonds now resting as an incumbrance 
upon it. They know it is not the princi])al of ilic l)onded debt 
alone that burdens thorn. There is also the interest workinjr its 
way into their substance, certainly, rapidly and oppressively. 
There are also the percentages in collecting and maTiaging the 
funds, and the large salaries of officers, because they have large 
amounts to manage. They know, too, they cannot be free from 



217 

the em-se of debt until they pay or repudiate. They want to 
see the end approaching. There is danger tnat postponing the 
end will produce violent expedients in which tne credit of the 
country and, maybe, its very life, will be periled. 

It was an argument used in favor of funding that it would be 
performed without expense. And yet already a claim has been 
presented to the Common Council, growing out o^ the passage 
of the bill by the Legislatui-e. It is announced that there are 
others to be added to it. The resolution provides for the print- 
ing of bonds, and that expenses, great or little, depending upon 
the artistic taste of the committee, must be added. It will be 
found that traveling will enter into the account, and the aggi-e- 
"■ate will make no inconsiderable addition to debt or tax. 

The preparation of the bill for the Legislature, by our commit- 
tee of citizens, shows a distrust of municipal officers that is 
warranted by the history of the last ten years. Too many have 
mismanaged the public funds and failed to make accounts of 
bonds and money entrusted to them. The Presidents of the 
banks have, on that account, been entrusted with the sale of the 
bonds. ^AHiilst I am bound to say that the Presidents of our 
banks stand high and are considered men of integrity and un- 
doubted responsibility, such nas not been the uniform record of 
bank officers. There have been many surprising illustrations of 
bad conduct in other places, on their part, so as to shake the 
confidence of prudent people in any class or condition of men en- 
trusted with the management of large sums whon no security is 
required, as in the case of the act in question. 

The Funding bill does not require the Treasurer to give se- 
curity as a condition to his receiving the moneys — the proceeds 
of the bonds. This is an anomaly in such matters. True, the 
act provides for a bond from the Treasurer; but not as a condi- 
tion to his receiving the moneys. The bank presidents are ro- 
qiiired to pay him the moneys, and he is directed to furnish a 
bond to the Common Council. By an experienced lawyer it will 
be readily perceived that the bill requires amendment, or serious 
trouble may grow out of it. 

It is worthy of consideration that this scheme of funding is 
applicable to this city alone. It does not apply to the towns 
which have, up to this time, been, ratably with the city, bound 

28 



318 

to pay the largest item of bonded debt. If we adopt the funding 
principle, it is reasonable to expect that the evil example will 
spread to the towns, or else the reduction of our rate, compared 
with the towns, will induce the Supervisors to make reprisals 
upon the city in the equalization, and we will have put upon us 
more than oin- proportion of the county debt accruing in the 
years covered by the city Funding bill. 

It is argued that our present rate of taxation keeps away set- 
tlers, who would otherwise join our population and increase our 
strength and enterprise. In my opinion, debt is more alarming 
than present rate of taxes. 

The citizens' meeting, at which the funding schemes were dis- 
cussed and matured, voted a resolution to the effect that, until 
the funded debt of the city were fully paid, no bonds should be 
issued by which a new debt was created. This action recognized 
the evils of debt. It was dictated by wisdom. In the bill 
passed, it is provided that the debt shall not be increased except 
upon a vote of a majority of the taxable inhabitants. It is the 
fact that every item of the present debt has been created with 
the approval of the people or their acquiesence at the time. The 
people are frequently as eager for debt to be paid in the remote 
future, as they are eager to postpone the payments when they 
accrue. Constitutions and laws are necessary to restrain the 
power to create debt. This law does not do it, and in this re- 
spect fails to meet the wishes of those who suggested and ma- 
tured it. 

The reduction of the rate of interest provided for in the 
Funding bill, from seven to six per cent., is delusive. The ex- 
isting bonds draw interest at the rate of seven per cent., payable 
once each year at the time when the moneys derived from the 
annual tax-levy ordinarily came into the treasury. The new 
bonds are to draw interest at the rate of six per cent., payable 
semi-annually. A half year's interest must, on that account, 
be levied in advance, and must be kept on hand in the Treasury. 
It is not a difficult problem in figures to show that the actual 
difference to the taxpayer is too small a fraction of one per cent, 
to be taken into account by practical financiers, 

I may as well anticipate here arguments which have been 
largely used and will yet be vigorously urged. The city is los- 



r 219 

ing population, it is said, for the want of employment, and many 
of the people are suffering for bread for the want of some busi- 
ness — manufacturing or otherwise — to furnish them labor. My 
answer is that it is no proper function of government to furnish 
labor for the people. The government should not encourage or 
discourage enterprise. The people should be left to themselves. 
Observation will soon demonstrate that the people will look out 
for their own interests better than the government can. Inter- 
ference by legislation with business, deranges i-ather than regu- 
lates. The government should be kept within the strictest 
limits — only providing from day to day for the necessary ex- 
penses of the maintenance of law. The people can then be 
trusted to regulate their own business, and in tnis country pau- 
perism should be but little known. 

It is not this city alone that is losing population. The ten- 
dency at present is to draw population from the centers upon the 
soil. That tendency is healthful. The soil for the last ten 
years has been neglected. All the young and vigorous popula- 
tion have been drawn toward the cities, where fortunes were ap- 
parently being made in trade — where large salaries were paid by 
insurance, railroad and manufacturing companies and by banks. 
This is now changed. The land will always furnish a living. It 
is not necessary for the young man to go West. In this county 
there are plenty of farms now unoccupied or poorly worked that 
will furnish a good living to an industrious family, and a sur- 
plus to market besides. It is not unhealthy that institutions 
which are uncalled for and which yield no public good, should be 
abandoned in the cities, and that the workmen or idlers about 
them should be driven back to the soil. 

The city government should not be treated as a scheme of 
colonization. We are bound to provide a good government for 
those who choose this city for their home. We will not 
invite or repel settlers. If they cast their lot 
amongst us, we should give tliem an apportunity, in security 
and without interference, to pursue by honest effort their aim of 
life. 

I am not unmindful that a majority voted at the last city 
election in favor of the Funding scheme. I do no t want to seem 
indifferent to the popular will. I am not indifferent to public 



220 

favor. But I think there were many false impressions on the 
popvilar mind, controlling the expression at the election. If the 
vote had been upon the question of repudiating instead of fund- 
ing, I fear the majority would have been as largely in the affirma- 
tive. As it was submitted, it drew favor from two directly op- 
posing interests — from those who wanted temporary relief from 
taxes, and from those who had money to lend and wanted it kept 
or placed in the city securities. But there was a very respecta- 
ble minority who wanted to keep the public faith and to clear oft' 
the public incumbrances from their property. Their vote was 
dictated by public policy and by an attachment to principles of 
good government. A scheme of the kind proposed should be 
adopted ^\^th substantial unanimity. It should be considered 
wrong for the city to be in debt, and a majority vote is no reason 
to do WTong. 

It has been claimed. 1 think, without considering the terms 
of the law, that the Common Coimcil have no discretion, and 
that the statute is mandatory. That does not seem to me to be 
the purpose of the Legislature. The Funding bill authorizes the 
city of Kingston to borrow the money to pay the funded debt 
accruing Avithin the next four years. It then provides that this 
power shall not be exercised unless, at a vote provided to be 
taken, the majority shall be in favor of the measure. The power 
has thus been conferred, and only became operative upon the 
election, and it is yet to be exercised by the Common Council. 
It is a subject of grave importance. T have given it careful con- 
sideration in view of all the arguments that could be made for 
and against it. I commend the reconsideration of the question 
to yoxir careful attention. 



MAYOR'S MESSAGE. 

March, ISlil 



To the Common Couucil : 

The debt of this city is composed of the following items: 

Rondout & Oswego R. R. Bonds $304,506 00 

Alms-house Bonds 15,000 00 

City Hall Bonds 80,000 00 

Wallkill Valley R. R. Bonds 109,200 00 

Funding Bonds 68,000 00 

Total $636,760 00 

This is exclusive of the city's share of the county debt, which 
now amounts to the sum of $1,004,900. 

The ordinary expenses of the city the last year have amounted 
to the sum of $32,114.63. 

This sum, as appears by the record of the Clerk which is 
transmitted herewith is somewhat less than any previous year 
since the city was incorporated. 

The Alms-house has received this last year the amount al- 
lowed by the charter. $13,000, which would seem from the report 
of the Commissioners of Alms as the same has been submitted to 
the Common Council, to be, with the sums received from the Ex- 
cise fund, suOiciont for the operations of the Commissioners. It 
is all they are now entitled to by law. and must, until tlie law is 
changed, be made to cover all tlieir expenditures. 

The rate of tax the last year was reduced to about one and 
one-half per cent. This rate can, unless the niauner of rating 
property in the city be changed, or some extraordinary expendi- 
ture occurs, be reduced to one per cent. It should be reduced to 



332 

that rate. A higher rate is injiuious to the interests of the 
community, and acts as an incubus upon business and enterprise. 

The different boards of education in the city should confine 
their expenditures to such a sum as will reduce the school-rate 
to one-quarter of one per cent. It should not be more than one- 
quarter of the rate of the public burdens for all other purposes, 
else a spirit of opposition to schools may spring up that will en- 
danger the whole system and send us back to the old rate-bill 
system, in operation before the passage of the present school law. 

There is no good reason for a gloomy view of the city's con- 
dition. It is an encouraging sign of the times that the members 
of the Common Council for the last year have willingly and 
faithfully attented the meetings and the business of the day, and 
that they should have given to their duties their earnest, honest 
and intelligent attention without compensation. It is encourag- 
ing that citizens of good character and intelligence in every ward 
in the city have been willing to accept nominations. It is en- 
couraging that the contests for aldermen have been the warmest 
contests that have taken place at any of the polls at the recent 
city election. It shows that all the people of the citj'^ are con- 
scious of the importance of a good administration. While such a 
condition of the public mind exists it is not likely that malad- 
ministration will be suffered for a very long time. It also car- 
ries with it the fact that the vigilance which is shown at elec- 
tions will be directed to the conduct of the successful candidates 
in the scrutiny of their oflficial conduct. 

The standing committees of your body form an important 
.ilement in your action. I recommend that each standing com- 
mittee have a place of meeting in the City Hall and that the 
hour before each meeting of the Common Coimcil be devoted, 
whenever possible, to committee work. The business thus ma- 
tured in the committees will be handled with more intelligence 
in the Common Council, and the proceedings of the whole body 
will be gi-eatly simplified and improved. 

A standing rule by which every resolution for street improve- 
ment or otherwise incui'riiig expense should first go to a standing 
committee would check what, at times, operates as an abuse — 
the wholesale adoption of resolutions by log-rolling. 

I want to inculcate the general lesson of soberness andsteadi- 



323 

ness in public administration. It is tlie only practically safe 
course. The true policy is to appropriate within the income, and 
to incur no public debt. Tt is the only legal course and should be 
strictly followed by every city officer. 

The annual report of the treasurer is very flattering to your 
conduct of the last year, in adherence to this maxim. Last year 
we ran upon a deficiency and had to borrow before we could pay 
the county. The treasurer now reports that he has paid the 
county out of the tax-levy our ciuota of the county charges, and 
has a balance on hand, apparently sufficient to take us tlirough 
the year and until taxes again come in. 

I submit herewith the report of the Chief Engineer of the 
Fire Department. It shows the present available materials on 
hand for the extinguishment of fires. It seems that there is a 
growing tendency in cities to change the volunteer system into a 
paid system. This tendency comes from the necessity of having 
skilled management of the steam fire engines, and from the fact 
that the membership of the fire companies has fallen very much 
into the control of a class of young men who seem to take more 
pleasure in destroying than preserving property. Nominations for 
membership ought to be carefully scanned by the Common Coun- 
cil, good character should be absolutely required of every mem- 
ber of the department. Our citizens generally turn out to a fire, 
and a spirit ought to be encouraged that will fill our volunteer 
companies with good and intelligent men — interested in protect- 
ing the property of every citizen. I see no reason why an eflScient 
volunteer fire department cannot be maintained in this city. 

The total number of fire alarms the last year was fifty-three; 
of which thirty-two were in the Eastern department, and twenty- 
one in the Western department. 

I have the last year closely observed the conduct of the Alder- 
men of the different wards. Their fidelity and intelligence in 
mastering the subjects committed to their charge in the various 
committees, and their discussion of measures in the Board en- 
titles them to a word of praise. Liable as they constantly have 
been to the suspicion of being influenced by selfish considerations, 
I wish here to give my testimony to the effect that they have 
uniformly shown a vigilance in the public interests as far as can 
be expected, removed from any improper yielding to the solicita.- 



224 

tions of individuals. It is to hoped tliis will continue. It is 
a pleasant thing to make gratuities but it should not be done 
Avith the public moneys. Tlie moneys of the city are to be ad- 
ministered in trust for the whole body of the taxpayers mthin 
the strict letter of the charter, under which every officer must 
act. 



NOTES BY A KINGSTONIAN ABROAD. 

[From the Kingston Leader,] 



THE BLARNEY STONE. 

Some few years ago in a society of some men and women, a 
young lady of the party, gifted in speech, and sometimes care- 
less of her gifts, said, '"I have kissed the Blarney stone." At the 
time I accepted her statement as true. 

Since then, I rode from Cbrk to Blarney, the distance stated 
by the driver as nine miles, br\t really only six. I got down 
from the jaunting car at the village, and en foot ascended the 
bluff upon which stands Blarney Castle, once owned, as was said, 
by a McCarthy. 

In the rear of the Castle was a party of yoimg men and 
women— three of each, natives of the "Green Island." Without 
appearing to listen, I heard speak the tallest of the young men, as he 
was interesting the others, describing the Castle. "My uncle 
kissed tlie Blarney stone, which you see there," he said, as he 
pointed to the lintel of the window in the third story of the 
Castle. 

The lintel was broken near the middle and was held by iron 
clamps to the walls above. "He was let down," he said, "by his 
heels, from the parapet above until his mouth reached the stone, 
which you see is about five feet below the top of the coping. 
When he had kissed the stone he was again drawn back by his 
heels, upon the parapet." 

I looked and listened and then I thought, must I reject the 
statement, in former years made in my presence by the yoimg 
29 



326 

lady, or had she in fact been so bold as to trust her life to the 
uncertain holding of her heels ? 
Dec, 1886. 



THE NATIONALITY OF SLANG. 

It is not very easy to tell nationality by appearance and man- 
ners. Until they speak you arc very apt to think that people 
are alike the world over. 

rioinff from Dublin to London, one would likely take the nine 
o'clock boat from the "North Wall," ci'oss the Irish sea and 
take the train at Holyhead about 3 p. m. This would bring you 
to London at bedtime. 

As your train ai^proaches London, it happens, as in approach- 
ing any large railroad terminus, the cars are more and more 
crowded. At every station a new exaction is made upon the 
space, until the seats and standing room are all taken. 

I speak of a trip on this route at the close of the Christmas 
festivities in England last year. Our compartment (2d class) 
was comfortably filled the Avhole journey. As we came within 
a few miles of London, the spaces in the seats were packed full; 
the packages were heaped and crowded and sat on; laps were 
occupied and every available space was apparently taken. 

At the last stop there appeared at the door a call man, aged 
about sixty, not stout, but coarse-boned and long-armed. He 
had an honest look, and was a house-keeper; for in his hand he 
held by the neck a turkey, dead but not plucked. It was 
dangling in its feathery immensity. It looked too large to be 
crowded in the compartment with the owner, who was undoubted- 
ly taking it to town to regale a large family not often treated 
to such a luxury. 

The giuird looked in the compartment and bade the passenger 
enter. The old man stood at the door with his great tiu'key 
and seemed to hesitate. He did not see his way. He finally 
crowded in and disposed of his tall and bony form in a sort of 
tumble-down fashion amongst the passengers packed in before 
he came. 



This seemed to fill the bill. One would have said this is 
(lie ultima thulc of accomodation. P.ut there is au old maxim 
of omnibuses: "There is always room for one more." After 
some delay, the one more came. It was a young woman— the 
first of that sex that had applied for admission to our compart- 
ment, which allowed smoking. She stopped at olie open door. 
She stood beside the guard and .seemed confronted with an im- 
possibility. 

I was sitting next the open door, and, as all the passengers, 
Avas striving my best for good humor. I said, as spokesman 
for all, "by all means come in: we have abandoned all struggle 
for comfort."" There was, at this jest, a laugn, which at first 
seemed an additional restraint upon the young woman's pm-pose 
to enter the car. But she had no alternative; there was no 
other resource left her, and she secured a standing place and 
stood crowded against the door as it closed against ner person, 
and the train slowly pulled out from the station. 

The situation was grotesque, but the discomforts seemed to 
create no anger— no feeling of resentment. Each one had before 
him the Cireat North Western terminus, the friendly greeting, 
the warm supper and the going to bed. Minor discomforts were 
ignored. The young woman treated an invitation to sit downi 
as a kindly Jest, and smiled as not ofi'ended. 

All this which had passed marked no nationality. They 
were occurrences that the people of any of the best favored na- 
tions might experience in travel. 

It was amid a conversation that had become general and familiar as 
among acquaintances that produced the test of nationality. A 
yonng man, speaking to his companion, said, "Did you catch on?" 
He was at once disclosed. I reached out my hand and gi'asped 
his and said, "Let me greet a New Yorker. I know you by 
your slang." 

He admitted the correctness of my conclusion, and proved to 
be successfully engaged in London introducing one of the results 
of American ingenuity to the people of England, the best ap- 
prcciators of ingenuity of any people in the world. 
Dec. 15, 1886. 



228 
THE SNUG LITTLE ISLAND. 

The water surrounding the island which is composed of 
England, Scotland and Wales, has produced very marked results 
in the history of the people, its inhabitants. They are a great 
people for boating. They cannot reach any shore saiUng from 
their own, unless they cross a water channel, which is usually 
rough so as to produce seasickness and most of the time danger- 
ous to other than the staunchest craiu. 

The necessities of the people have made them skilled naviga- 
tors, and what is more to the purpose, made them skilled ship- 
builders. They own the ships mostly that do the carrying to 
and from the island, and they have wonderfully mastered the 
control of the waters which lash the rocks upon the coast all 
around them. 

It has so happened that in the last three hundred years Eng- 
land has mingled into the wars on the Continent, taking at 
times a brilliant and decisive part in battles; but dm-ing all 
that time no army of foreign soldiers has obtained a successful 
footing upon the island. The elfort has been made by the Span- 
ish, the French and the Dutch, but one after the other the expe- 
ditions failed. The revolution brought about by William and 
Mary might be cited as an exception, but it is not. That revo- 
lution Avas the work of an Englisn party, and its success was 
achieved by English troops. 

This immunity from successful invasion is not from the in- 
herent strength of the English standing armies; it does not 
come from the special bravery of her troops, nor does it come 
from her coast defense, or her armorplated ships. Her defence 
is a barrier intei-posed by nature. It is the turbulent water 
channel surrounding the island, and the efl'ect which is pro- 
duced upon the hostile army attempting to cross over the chan- 
nel for invasion. 

Historians all agi'ee as to the fact that one attempt after 
another to invade England has failed. The fleets carrying the 
armies have been dispersed in mid-channel or driven back by 
the English ships or when in sight of the hostile shores have 
suddenly and as if by some magical influence been repulsed. 



239 

English historians arc especially emphatic in attributing these 
repulses to the valor of the English soldiers, and to the terror 
excited by their appearance with scarlet jackets and expanded 
chests. 

It is singular that the real cause has been heretofore unknown 
or intentionally disguised. It is now known by statistics that 
fifty per cent of passengers crossing the channel from the con- 
tinent to England, even on the very comfortable ships provided, 
fall sick, some in a most violent manner. This percentage when 
the sea is disturbed by wind increases to nearly one hundred 
per cent. There is on record an exceptional case where all the 
passengers took the malady excepting one. 

It is the rule, you thus see, for people in good health, trav- 
eling by the comfortable passenger ships, to become hors du 
combat. How must it be with an invading army, packed on board 
transports, tossed about for several hours on the chopping seas; 
unused to the waves and unaccustomed to the frightful smells 
between the decks. I care not how bold the soldier. He may 
be just from Gascony, full of oaths, and boastful of his prowess 
and eager to show it to an admiring world for his owm glory and 
the glory of France. He falls powerless before the dread de- 
sti'oyer of hi.5 courage. 

In support of my position, I invoke here the experience of 
persons who have been prostrated by seasickness, and I ask 
their testimony, Avhether thoy were fit to march against oppos- 
ing forces up a hostile shore. I ask them whether tliey felt 
much like leading a forlorn hope in an attack upon the enemy's 
bieastworks. ^^'asn't it rather like leading a forlorn hope to 
the side of the vessel ami throwing themselves out into the 
sea? Did not all the braggadocio ooze out, as it were, and leave 
tliem limp, helpless and retiring? ''Would not our army in 
Flanders" cease swearing and turn to priestly consolation? 

It is surprising that all the liistdvians have overlooked tin- 
real cause, which, wjien once disclosed, so clearly explains to all 
the world why the Britishers bold on so tightly to "That Snug 
Little Island." 

Dec. 20, 188G. 



280 

THE LORD MAYOR OF LONDON. 

By an ancient chartei-, the city of London has a Lord Mayor. 
The city of Loudon mentioned in the charter, and wliich has jet 
its Lord ]\Iayor, is not the one we refer to in our mind as the 
London of today. Chartered London is within the present over- 
grown city, which we understand and speak of as London. It 
contains about 75,000 of tlie upwards of 4,000,000 inhabitants of 
London as it is known to the commercial workl. It would seem 
to bo an insignificant to\ni, but it is not. The heart of Great 
Britain throbs there. Religion is represented by St. Paul's, 
finance by the Bank of England, and the Stock and Royal Ex- 
changes, the general offices of the post and telegraphing and 
the exjiressing of packages and baggage are there. It is the 
<:enter of business. It is bounded by the old walls and city 
gates, Ludgate, Bishopsgate, Aldersgate and the Thames, from 
Blackfriars Bridge to the Tower. 

T)ie Lord jM&yor, during the business hours of the day, has 
in his domain an unusual throng of people, doing immense tran- 
sactions in money and goods. At night, too, there is the hum 
of traffic that never ceases. The streets within the old walls 
are never at rest. The activities go on during the fogs of the 
midday and the dimly lighted fogs of midnight. The work may 
be done by other toilers, but it goes on all the same. 

Outside of Old London, the domain of the Lord Mayor, the 
streets and inhabitants have parochial governments, the vestry- 
men of the established church. It thus happens that a year 
ago one traversing the streets could find a snow line of the old 
city; the snow, removed from the streets of Old London, was 
permitted by the more economical parish governments to remain, 
the streets being founderous with lumps of slush and ice. 

The dignity of the office of the Lord Mayor is known and 
recojrnizcd the world over. His vellow coach is a marked ob- 
ject and attracts the eye. It forms part of the procession on 
state parades. It is an essential featiu-e when the Queen 
moves through the city. In the social world, he is the chief. 
The annual dinner of the Lord Mayor is not only attended by 
the local magnates, but is so taken, that the people Avho can't 
sit down to the tabic, may yet view it, as they do in immense 



331 

crowds from the streets. The s"<?sts are conspicuous to the 
throni,' of common people, ^Yhile they go through the courses and 
deliver their post-prandial eloquences, by means of the table be- 
ing so arranged that they are completely disclosed through the 
glass windows which surround them on two or more of the sides. 

Notwithstanding the dignity and distinction of his office, the 
Lord Mayor is not entirely free from official worrinients or do- 
mestic embarrassments, as will be properly illustrated by the 
following veritable story as applicable to one of those succeeding 
to that office, during the reign of Her Majesty, the present Queen: 

A public celebration at Paris seemed to demand for its proper 
observance the presence of the Lord Mayor of London, and he 
was accordingly invited to attend. When the fact was made 
known at the domestic hearthstone, the wife of the Lord iMayor, 
whose name was IVIary, pleaded to accompany her husband to 
Paris to witness the celebration. The Lord Mayor objected, not 
so much to the society of his wife on the visit, as to being in- 
cumbered with the necessary baggage and the annoyance reason- 
ably to be expected, on the journey, from Custom House in- 
spectors. The wife promised to reduce her baggage to the 
smallest possible allowance. The husband still insisted that, 
while in Paris, she would be tempted to make purchase of the 
finery so lavishly displayed there in the shop ^vindows. In such 
case the annoyance of the Custom House people would be ten- 
fold and would be added to by the fact that the duties would 
have to be computed and paid; as it would be out of all char- 
acter that a person of the dignity of the Lord Mayor should be 
denounced as a snuiggler. 

But the Lady of the iSIayor solenmly promised not to be 
tempted to purchase the least little article. It was upon this 
promise that the Lord Mayor and his lady set out together to 
make the visit to Paris. We will not follow them in that city, 
but take up the subject as it is again presented when the steam- 
er, returning from Boulougne to Folkestone. It was then Mary 
said to her husband, '-Father. I could not resist the temptation 
to buy some of the most beautiful of laces T saw in a shop at 
Paris; that is every bit I did, and I couldn't help it, they were 
so cheap." 

She requested her husband to dispose of her precious purchase 



232 

in his pocket. The bundle was not large, truly, but the Lord 
objected for reasons that are familiar to men. They abominate 
packages in the pockets. It destroys the fit of the clothing and 
the symmetrj' of the shape and appearance of the man. 

The ingenuity of the woman then discovered the proper tiling. 
It was to dispose of the laces in the crown of the hat — a superb- 
ly capacious silK beaver, worn by all English gentlemen in pub- 
lic position; and it was there, with the consent of the Lord 
Mayor, deftly arranged, so as not to soil the lace, and little to 
interfere with the wearing of the high hat. 

While this arrangement was perfected so skillfully to bring 
the French laces into an English household, the good people of 
Folkestone were making plans to bring confusion upon our Lord 
Mayor. They resolved to give him a fit reception upon his 
landing from the steamer; they engaged a band of music and 
marched to the wharf where a suitable platform had been erect- 
ed, upon which the distinguished personages could deliver 
speeches of welcome and acknowledgement, in full view of the 
concourse of spectators, gathered by martial nuisic and the name 
of this most distinguished dignitary from Great London. 

The Mayor ascended the platform; he bowed a most cordial 
salutation to the multitude; he removed his ample and shining 
beaver from the noble head of his dignified personage, and then! 
then there fell round his brow and down upon his shoulders 
the elaborate folds of the delicate fabric of the beautiful French 
laces. 

Dec. 16, 188C. 



TABLE D'HOTE. 

The title of my subject is in French, not that I prefer that lan- 
guage, but because there is no English synonym. It will be famil- 
iar to the eye of a person experienced in traveling. It will be suf- 
ficiently introduced to the uninformed reader by saying it is some- 
thing to eat. 

Eating, rudely followed where it is employed simply to appease 
hunger, and where all food has a delightful flavor to a palate and 
stomach that craves it to sustain life, becomes a science where it is 



333 

put in along with the methods adopted to make life as enjoyable 
as possible. When eating is regulated by our means, it is not often 
excessive, and the methods are of little consequence. But 
when eating is not limited by the means it is often overdone, 
and there comes in requisition a careful marshaling of all the 
forces — to make it, as the ]\Iikado would have it, so that "the 
punishment fits the crime." It then becomes a science. It 
comes to the front rank amongst the subjects which interest the 
human race. 

We take our title from the French language, because the 
people speaking that language have kept in advance of all the 
others in the science of eating, and the best cooks are usually 
employed from France, and tlie best methods of serving are bor- 
rowed from the customs of tliat very cultured nation. 

Amongst those who eat scientifically, the first eating of the 
morning is cofi'ee or chocolate and rolls and butter. This may 
be taken at the bedside before rising, or after dressing and be- 
fore leaving the room or dwelling. This is the dejeuner, or as 
we call it, breakfast. The second is the noon-day meal. It 
is called dejeunei' a la fourchette or luncheon, and meat or fish 
is an essential ingredient. It is taken by the men at a place 
convenient to their business, if it be away from tlip home, and 
by the ladies where they may be in shopping or other expeditions. 
The principal meal is served after business hom-s, at the 
closing of the aay. This is Table D'Hote. It is the principal 
spread, and calls forth every energy of the domestic pocketbook, 
and all the ingenuity and skill of the housekeeper. It is served 
at an appointed hour of the day and it is expected that every 
member of the household will be promptly in place a.t the exact 
time. It is a great excellence to have it served when freshly 
cooked and hot. This largely contributes to its success. 

I stop and dwell upon the last point, because it is here where 
the name Table D'Hote has been misapplied in our American 
hotel management. It is not in good form to serve Table 
D'Hote from one to six. ^\^lose palate takes kindly to a soup 
or roast that has been standing after cooking from one to five 
hours? This departm-e from the true rense of the service is 
so distinct a variation as to mar the entire method. Table 
D'Hote owes its excellence in the family, among the invited 
30 



234 

guests, and at the Hotel to being picked and eaten when it is 
ripe, so to speak. 

On the 30th day of December, 1885, I arrived in Brussels. I 
liad then tested table d'hote as it was served on the line of the 
tourist through Ireland and England, and was prepared to make 
a comi^arison with the same service among a French speaking- 
people. I selected the "Hotel du Grand Monarque," located in 
the business part of the city, and eateiing to- the native travel 
rather than to tourists. In answer to the inquiry as to wheth- 
er I would be at Table D'Hote, and the statement of the ap- 
pointed hour, which was a quarter past five — about an hour after 
dark in that latitude and season of the year — I answered yes. 

I was prompt and saw the assembling of the guests. I wa^s 
sho\^^l my seat, while most of the others dropped into theirs, 
as if they were familiar with the table. There were about forty 
ladies and gentlemen nearly equal in number. It did not ex- 
ceed five minutes, so prompt was the' movement of the people, 
when all had subsided into quiet waiting for tne service. The 
guests sat at a table in the form of an L, occupying both sides. 
The courses were served from the head of the table down each 
side. They had been prepared for a number of guests assem- 
bled as for a pai'ty that had been in\ited. It was divided into 
portions and as the silver platter passed do^\^l the line each 
guest helped himself to the part allotted as his share — there was 
thus no waste. 

There were fourteen courses served, including sweets, within 
an hour, which would allow about four minutes for a single 
course, if the proportion of time was equal for each. 

There was much to commend in the practically good results 
of the method here adopted for eating. I still refer in my mind 
to that dinner as the most satisfactory entertainment in the 
shape of eating during the time I was absent from the shores 
of America. It is of course impossible to bring back the enjoy- 
ment of food, which is aflforded by the boy's appetite, but I can- 
not help leaving on record a word of gratitude for the pleasure 
afforded by the first and best Table D'Hote among the people 
who speak French. 

There is among all peoples an obstinate fondness for the 
ways of their own coimtrymen. I do not speak disrespectfully 



335 

of this disposition. It may evidence patriotism. It may ev- 
idence selfishness. Its praise or censure depends npon 
how you view it. But I put here a decided protest against 
the exhibition of this obstinacy by the tourist, who feels 
himself called upon to resist the methods of eating adopt- 
ed by the people, selected by him to be improved. Such an 
one sat down to table d'hote with a partj' of fifteen. He 
refused the soup and fish and the nice tidbits in their order, 
until the platter with the fik-t du hoeuf came to him in its tran- 
sit. He then lielped himself to its entire contents and proceed' 
ed to make his dinner. He was fond of beef — an Englishxaan. 
He abominated the methods of the Table D'Hote. He sjioiled 
the entire dinner of all the others, wliile he was vindicating his 
notions of English methods of eating. He Avas such a national 
enthusiast in table d'hote as is described in American doggerel 
of revolvitionary days: 

"In the first place, John Bull's the nation, named. 
The name of beef -eaters the people take; 

Throughout the world their prowess is proclaimed, 
For cooking and for eating of beefsteak. 

And when their happiness is past control, 

They kill an ox and roast him whole." 

Jan. 5, '87. 



OUR BAGGAGE IN THE CUSTOM HOUSE. 

To the tourist the Custom House inspector is an enemy. To 
circumA'ent his examination; to pass in spite of his vigilance some 
dutiable article, is considered a triumph, not only justifiable, but 
praiseworthy. Viewed, however, from the position of a fair- 
minded person — one willing to be just to his fellow men, the in- 
spector is to be commiserated. 

I propose to speak in his bolialt — to say a word in his favor. 
in the midst of the almost unanimous voice of detraction. 

His life is not a happy one. He is charged by his government, 
and under the vigilant directions of his superiors, to make every 
effort to prevent goods that arc chargeable with duties from pass- 
ing unasscssed into his coimtry. To do this he must examine 



236 

the boxes, packages, trunks and baggage of all travelers who 
undertake to cross the borders. \Miile doing this, he must repre- 
sent the friendliness of his country, inviting and giA'ing a kindly 
greeting to the stranger, which is the settled policy of commercial 
nations today. 

The baggage of the traveler contains his soiled linen and un- 
derclothing—usually the accumulation of a week. Into this un- 
savory mess the inspector is compelled by law to handle, to look 
and to smell. It is there where he has a right to expect that 
the prohibited articles are lodged and secreted. 

Approaching a foreign shore, it is not unusual for passengers 
to take counsel of one another as to tlieir common enemy, the 
inspector. It so happened about a year ago, as I was voyaging 
towards Liverpool, sitting besides a rugged and energetic man, 
he addressed me in clearly definea Scotcn accent, "I judge from 
your talk and manner that you are a lawyer," said he. "I would 
like to ask your advice about the Custom House regulations," he 
added, before I had admitted the accusation as to my profes- 
sional employment. 

It was the part of good nature, to admit on my part my 
peculiar fitness, and to lend myself with good grace and with an 
honest effort to aid my new formed acquaintance to elude the 
British government and its emissaries, as far as I possibly might, 
with my legal fm-nitm-e. 

I found that my man was not a Scotchman, but a native of 
Cumberland county, in the north part of England, aud had, for 
about twenty-five years, been settled in Kansas, starting his life 
work with the beginning of that state, had grown into import- 
ance as a large land oM'ner there, and was returning to visit the 
scenes of his youth, and to show to the members of his family 
that had remained in the home nest, the thrift of the emigrant 
amongst the enterprises of the West. 

I told him that English custom laws were simpler than those 
of our United States; that there were comparatively few dutiable 
articles on the list of the English laws; tliat tobacco and spirits 
were principally looked for, and he would be kindly treated and 
greeted, if he showed up boldly, and nothing was found in the 
shape of fire-arms or dynamite, as to which there was then, and 
had been all the year, a very sensitive state of mind amongst 



237 

the English officials, growing out of explosions that had happened 
in the Tower and the Parliament House. 

He seemed relieved in mind by my assurances of good recep- 
tion, and gave me to understand that he was all right. His 
gratitude was distinctly expressed, in that usual fee of the lawyer 
on the street, by frequent invitations to join the Kansas land 
owner at the bar. 

By one of the curious coincidents of travel, I met the Kansas 
farmer on the steamer, retiu-ning home. "It was in order," I 
said, "to hear his experience witli the Custom House inspector." 
"He was the most villainous ruffian I ever met," were the words 
of the very beginning of the answer. 

In the magnilicent kindliness of the great heart which had 
expanded with the increasing acreage of his landed possessions, 
my Kansas friend had selected the best specimen of canned fruits, 
to introduce with all their freshness of preserved flavors in the 
home circle of his English relatives. He had also, to gi-atify the 
peculiar tastes of a specialist, of the ichthyologist variety at 
considerable risk and trouble, captured one of the most venomous 
of the Kansas snakes, which he had preserved in spirits and care- 
fully bottled and boxed to present as a cabinet specimen of the 
New World. 

Here were suggestions of dj'namite. Every particular hair 
in the mane of the British Lion, stood erect at sight of them, dis- 
closed in the baggage of the Kansas farmer. The package con- 
taining the snake was carried at arm's length, ine whole length of 
the A\arehouse and placed apart on a high shelf. The fruit cans 
were set apart. Their form was unusual and the declaration was 
of a suspicious character. It was necessary that the cans (tin) 
should be oi^ened and the contents tested. 

It was in vain the farmer protested, that such an act would 
destroy the fresh flavor of the fruit. It was in vain, irritated 
by the insolence and immovable persistence of the inspector. :uid 
his refusals of ample IniLcs, tliat tlic tanner declared thai he 
would appeal to the I'rinif Miiiislcr, and the Queen, and the Presi- 
dent of the United .States and his cabinet. The cans were opened. 
They were fruit cans, truly. 'J'he inspector was appeased. He 
began to have confidence in the whole race of Kansas farmers. He 
had the cans again carefully resealed at the expense of the 
British Empire. 



238 

On the morning of the second clay after the arrival of my 
friend at the Custom House, the box containing the snake was 
carefully opened and examined and passed free of duty on the 
English soil, with words of good cheer and well wishes from the 
Custom House inspector; and the tlueat of an appeal to Uncle 
Sam Avas retracted. 

The story teaches, that argument and threat and a proper 
mingling of oaths sometimes, and sometimes a bribe properly 
bestowed, Avill overcome the stoutest heart of vhe Custom House 
inspectors, and proves, what I set out to establish, that they 
are a lot of right jolly good fellows — in the society of the bar- 
maid when the day's work is done. 

Jan. 5, '87. 



ART AND ARTISTS. 

TIic Chinese and tlic French have for years claimed the su- 
periority in art. Unfortunately we do not known enough of the 
iiH'iits of the Chinese to judge between them as rivals. The pe- 
culiarity of the Chinese in paintng and pottery has been so ex- 
actly imitated by the French that connoisseur.s frequently pm-- 
chase the French imitation and believe themselves and make 
their admiring friends believe that the articles are genuine 
Chinese. 

We can't today say which are the better, the Chinese genuine 
(u- the French imitations. All we do know is that French imita- 
tions are always sold as the Chinese genuine — to the great ad- 
vantage of the purchaser, if so be tliat the imitations are the best 
foods. 

The Emperor Napoleon III. inaugurated a policy, distinctly 
dillerent from that of the Enii)cror of China. He invited strang- 
ers. He beautilicd the streets of Paris, and opened to free visits 
the public parks and i)icture galleries. He made it a national 
creed, which the whole people gradually adopted to induce trav- 
elers from all nations to come through open doors into the French 
territory and inspect and puroliase the wares, to examine the 
art and artists of France, in full view. 



o 



239 

For this purpose the gallery at Versailles, the Louvre, the 
Luxemburg were thrown, open to the tourist, affording a walk of 
from fifteon to twenty miles through corridors hung with paint- 
ings and halls set out with statuary, in which the original and 
plastic copies of the old masters, and the best specimens of mod- 
ern art was exhibited. The Salon was opened annually from 
^lay to October where the living artist was allowed to compete 
for public honors and offer private sales. 

It is said that 80,000 tourists visited the public galleries the 
last year. It is evident that art students in gi'eat numbers are 
all the time assembled in Paris, where they are allowed to copy 
from the back of Cermanicus; from the gorgeous tints O'f Rubens; 
from the admirable flesh colors of Bouaruereau, and to live the 
Bohemian in the Latin Quarter. 

In art, the French are certainly not afflicted with prudery. 
On NeAv Year's day of last year two Americans just after twi- 
light entered the Tiiileries gardens. It was light enough to see 
the outlines of a man — a nude man, upon a pedestal of marble. 
It was placed there to give an artistic peoplement to this public 
park where all tourists are supposed at some time in their visit 
to promenade. Anthony Comstock, the celebrity of a certain 
kind in oiu' State of Xew York, had had no hantl in the selection 
of the figure or its placing there. The statue would have of- 
fended his statutory existence. As an ornament in Central Park. 
it would have been condennied to seizure and destruction. 

It was the first nude statue of a man I had ever seen in a 
public park, and I paused to contemplate the figure. My eye 
was running over the proportions of limb and feature, struggling 
with the duties of a critic, when my companion, the other Ameri- 
can, said, "Come away, some one will see you!" He was edu- 
cated of Anthony Comstock and our state statutes against the 
nude. 

I make comparison here with London. Xo painting or .statue 
of nude man oi' woman lias a place in the National Gallery, or in 
any of the public parks. To the eye of the p\d)lic, no nation is 
more pure, if that be the proper word to use, than England. Ex- 
cluding the disclosures lately made in the courtroom of the pri- 
vate concealed life of the Emglanders, men and women, the tourist 
of the most prudish form could find no offense while in the streets, 



240 

public museums and national parks. It is necessary to go by- 
train to Sydenhams to the Crystal Palace, of a former exposition, 
to pay a moderate admission fee, to see there in plastic cast Her- 
cules, as made by Praxiteles and an infinite variety of the nude 
in painting and in marble of modern realistic art. 

"Juan was taught from out the best editions 

Expurgated by learned men, who place 
Judiciously from out the school boy's vision, 

The gi-osser parts; but fearful to deface 
Too much their modest bard, by this omission, 

And pitying sore his mutilated case, 
They only add them all in an appendix. 

Which saves, in fact, the trouble of an index." 

Art and artists form a part of surplusage after necessaries are 
obtained. It is not a part of what has been in politics called 
"infant industries." A people, struggling with the feeling of 
forest trees and a rigorous climate, like our early settlers, give 
little time and little attention to either art or artists. It is of 
a later period when leisure comes with accumulation of wealth, 
that the longing for the work of art can enter into a country's 
achievements. The nation must become in the first place great 
in wars, gi-eat in the industrial pursuits, before tiie period ar- 
rives for greatness in art, or in the celebrity of its artists. 

It thus happened that, at the Paris exposition in 1878, the 
United States presented admirable gims and of the best of reapers 
and mowers, but madfe no competition in art matters. Our 
countrymen were there as critics and inferior critics at that, of 
the art achievements of other countries. Our Commissioner 
snarled at the French, and at the realistic school, principally rep- 
resented by that nation; derided the nude figures in the paint- 
ings and statuary, and denotmced the immoral tendencies of 
French art. But it is clearly read between the lines of the re- 
port made to our government, that the art in decay in its old 
home at Rome is in the most vigorous period of its existence at 
Paris. 

We have lately received a contribution to our treasures, as a 
national souvenir from the French, the Statue of Liberty by 
Bartholdi, which is now so prominent an object in our harbor of 
New York, It is a vivid picture of the art and artists of France. 



341 
A BOOMEKANfJ JOKE. 

To illustrate how unpleasant it is at times to make a prac- 
tical joke, I give the facts as it occui-red. 

A New York gentleman and his wife had been to Paris, and 
were returning home through the Custom House. The baggage 
had been inspected and passed and the crowd, ladies and gentle- 
men, were exchanging farewell greetings, before separating from 
the associations of a steamer's voyage. The gentleman said to 
the Inspector, pointing to his wife, and intending a harmless 
jest, "I have reason to believe that that lady has dutiable goods 
concealed in her clothing." 

The Inspector acted on the suggestion, the lady was searched 
by a woman Inspector in a private apartment and sure enough 
laces and silks were fotind, and the gentleman had to pay the 
duties upon the concealed articles. He is not so fond of fim 
since, and has learned that practical jests are sometimes Boom- 
erangs. Dec. 26, '87. 

31 



THE CHILD AND THE STARS. 

[For tile Kirugstoia Weekly Ai^gus.] 



Said little dhild, wibo&e eyes alone 
Looked on the stiars which mighitly shione., 
And in the azui-e saw fit germs'- 
,To sitixd and deck Kings' dia,dems: 

"Tell me, Oh, father, tell me why 
There are no stars in mid-day s'ky? 
Last night I saw them shining brigM; 
To-day there is no star in siighlt." 

"They all are there," the father said, 
"Juist as you left th^eim when in 'bed 
Last night yoiu dosed yooir tired eyes. 
Upon them shining in the skies. 

"N'one have been lost ox hid aw'ay, 
Through all the hjours of the c'jay; 
For angel hand keeps them in p!laoe. 
Within the IboundleBs realms' of spaqe." 

EepUed the cMld: "By light of day 
Much plainer I can find my wayj 
Why, then, are stars, so dear at niglht. 
In the 'light day hid from my sight?" 

"Anid yet, my child, 'tis very true, 
The stiars sang out from azure blue 
The hiappy morn when first began 
Orieator's work which ends with man. 



243 

"Tlie effulgent sun by day abs-orbs 
The ligtht of those far disitant orlbs, 
And, cimiouisly, the dark of night 
•Disid'oses wfhat is hid by liglut. 

"And simple cihildiren, surier tihiani 
The wise, the proud and learned man. 
Thus find by faith tlie hidden way 
In reason's bright effulgent day." 



Sept. 7, 1887. 



ASCRIPTION. 

[Written foT tine Kinigston Daily Leia/der,] 



Whiem the diark dT&aims oome on- 
TOie dread of ills and piain 

Thai bo eadh. day belong; 

Tliia tbought bring back again: 
Tbiere'is muich I caainot feel. 

Wlhein otihens' woeis nuake fall 
Hhe sympatihizing tearsij 

'Mid woirmiwaod anl t!he gall, 
iLet this assTiage the fears: 
There's mudh I jannot siee. 

When seanidal's vodoe is heai'd, 
To wreiok a home or firiemd, 
'Tis' well not every word 
Its poisoned tshaftis can somd. 
There's much I cannot hear. 

iToi resit in dark and dooibt. 
May seem, it is not ill. 

Though dangle stars go oat, 
The sitars the skiies^ yet fill. 
Thiere's miioh I cannot know. 

The much unfelt, unlvinoiwn, 

All things unseen, unheard, 
We'll leave to God ailoni. 
And trust His saiored word. 
To Hi'm all things belong. 
Fe-b. 26, 1883. 



SEASONABLE DOGGEREL. 



Feb. 22, 1900. 
32 



lAil'l tiimieis liave tod heroes, 
Tihere are 'heroes today, 

lOolome'lis, Teiddy, our own, 
And Bryan, Wilk-m J. 

Some woTislhiiip Lord "Bohs;" 
'Siorne woinsihiLp Oom Paiul, 

Whoi hanjdleis the spean 
•like the Biblioal IS'aJuil 

Buit no tiimes 'ever igave viSf; 

'Nm lived "under the sun," 
'Such a ihero to wiorsihiip, 

As Oeorige Waslhinigtom. 



THE BURNING OF KINGSTON. 

Anniversary, October, 1892. 



]\IR. LOUNSBERY'S ADDRESS. 

Hon. William Lounsbery, the President of the Senate House 
Association, was next introduced and delivered an address in sub- 
stance as follows: 

Amid music and poetry we have heard the tribute of cm' 
eloquent fellow citizen (]Mr. Schoonmaker) to the eminent men 
of our historic times, and the tribute of our distinguished poet 
(Mr. Abbey) to the future of American liberty. It seems that 
there is left to me in rounding out the observances of the day's 
celebration only to speak of the present — our own great men 
of the state and nation. 

We are here upon the gTounds and by the building that was 
at one time the Capitol of the State. It had been selected be- 
cause some man of enterprise, extolling the consequence of the 
place, had written a letter that fifty persons could be accommo- 
dated at the hotels of Kingston. The government of the state 
was organized here, and one of our citizens was elected Governor. 
It was an aristocratic assemblage of men and women that lived 
then in Kingsiton, proud of their wealth and influence. They 
were the real Knickerbockers of New York. Wliy did the gov- 
ernment go a.way from Kingston? Because its prominence in 
the state awoke the special enmity of the invading army, and 
they camo with arms and torches while the Ivingston men were 
away down tlie river with ^Vashington's army, and the hostile 
red coats burnt the gathered harvests, and the barns and houses 



347 

and left (the people without a coA'er for themselves, their wives 
and little ones. Their property was burned and they were 
homeless; but worse than that, they saw their ambition to be- 
come the political centre of the future great state of New York 
disappear in the smoke and embers of their crops and houses. 
There was no longer left the hotels to accommodate fifty persons. 
I see in front of me today brave men and fair women, rep- 
resenting more wealth than all the men and women of Ivingston 
of 1777, but there is noi longer with us the possession of the 
Capitol, or the management of political powers of the state. We 
have, however, arisen from the ashes of the revolution and again 
possess wealth, enteprise and power. Here about me are prom- 
inent and gi-eat men of the present. There are great men of 
the present in state and nation, at New York, Washington and 
Loon Lake and Buzzard's Bay. (Laughter.) I must not neglect 
the heroes of the hour, James Corbett and John L. Sullivan. I 
may safely compare Nancy Hanks with Aneke Jans. (Laughter.) 
The great men of the present are at a disadvantage as compared 
with historic men. You sit here, or will shortly sit, if I go on 
long speaking, under the shadows of the CatskiU mountains. I 
have walked there, as many of you have, in the dark recesses 
of the gorges, cut in the mountains by the roaming streams. 
We have walked amongst towering oaks and bristling pines. We 
have been conscious of dangers from the wild animals and 
venomous snakes. We have looked against frowning precipices 
of broken and jagged rocks. From this distance we look at the 
same mountains, and all these irregularities have disappeared — 
the mountain crest and silhouette, is gi^aeefully ciu'ved and there 
is a tinted azure softened by the haze of distance. The same 
effect is produced when we look back at a distance upon the men 
of history. Amongst our chieftans of the revolution, there was 
the thieving army contractor, and the jealousies of rank. We 
know there was treason. But time has effaced tliose rough and 
jagged edges and the horizon is clearly penciled in graceful out- 
lines against the sky, as is that of our Catskills from this dis- 
tance where we are sitting. A stanza written by an English 
baron, which has been incorporated in oiu- chiu-ch hymns, sug- 
gests the idea in a noble measure: 



248 

"In the Cross of Christ I glory. 
Towering o'er the wrecks of time; 

All the light of sacred story 
Gathers 'round its head sublime." 

I can see before me now the tall head of Wasliington tower- 
ing above the other chieftains of the revolution as Slide ]\Iouu- 
tain towers above the other peaks of the Catskills. We have 
heard that Washington would at times emphaisize his earnestness 
with an oath. (Laughter.) But this and other human in- 
firmities have disappeared from his character as he stands out 
a man of history— distance has softened into gentle tones all the 
rough spots, as it has in the A'iew of Slide ]\Iountain, and there 
they stand as the sun is setting behind them, lit iip with crim- 
son and goUl and the heavenly blue above. No liuman pen or 
pencil can produce this gi-andeur. It is only made so gi'eat by 
the brilliancy of heaven which illuminates it with its glory. 

Mr. Lo'unsbery's remaj-ks were w^ell received, and were punctu- 
ated with laughter and applause. 



PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS. 

Address before the Board of Trade, 1893. 



"PUBLIC BIPROVEMENTS." 

Was the subject of tlie toast to which the Hon. William Louus- 
bery responded. He said: 

I am allowed fifteen minutes to speak of [jublic improve- 
ments. A longer time was allowed, and properly so, for internal 
improvements as planned and set out by the well known Anti- 
Snapper of the Mansion House. I hope it will not be taken out 
of my time to add my testimony, that the menu provided by ISh: 
Lasher has done credit to the Board of Trade, to the city, to the 
occasion and to the author himself. (Applause). 

Now please correct your watches by mine. Mine is a stop- 
watch such as used by 'bookmakers,' law bookmakers I meiin. 
I want to be exact because I understand there is an old grievance 
upon the subject oi talking beyond the allotted time. (Laugh- 
ter.) I see a gentleman at the farther table is holding his watch 
on me. He will please call out when my time is up. I could 
not tell A\itlK)ut glasses and there is nothing for glasses (laugh- 
ter) so fur as I can see. 

Mr. President, 1 have frequently lioard the expression some- 
times as a jest and sometimes as a jibe, that Kingston people 
were so Dutch that they could not sec after 4 o'clock. (Laugh- 
ter.) Whether this is so or not, 1 hope Avill be discussed under 
the head of volunteer toasts by some member of the Holland 
Society or Winnesook Club of undoubted Dutch lineage. In the 
Holland Society they banquet every year at from $lJ to $30 for a 
plate. In the Winnoseok Club they banquet at from $10 to $30 



350 

without a plate. (Laughter.) They take theirs in a tin cup 
and want more. (More laughter.) 

While this question is undecided we will assume the expres- 
sion is true— for the sake of argument only. But that does not 
fm-nish an adequate cause for the last afternoon train on the U. 
& D. going out at 3 o'clock and the last afternoon ti-ain on the 
Wallkill going out at 3:05. If the managers of these roads 
could get their tiiains out with reasonable promptness, a schedule 
making five minutes before 4 o'clock the time of starting, would 
get strangers out of town before this peculiar Dutch blindness 
comes, and thus save the town from destruction. As it is the 
trains are run very conveniently for the people of Kingston to do 
shopping at New Paltz and Phoenicia, (laughter) but very in- 
conveniently for the people of New Paltz and Phoenicia to do 
shopping in Kingston, The fact is, that notwithstanaing the 
sacrifices Kingston lias made for these roads, there is not now 
in tlie management of either one a person in sympathy with the 
merchants of Kingston. 

\Yhat shall I say of the West Shore Railroad ? I do not be- 
lieve there is a person in the management of that road who 
could find his way from the station to the Court House without 
one of Smith's cabs. Why do I say this? Because a road has 
been organized and nearly constructed connecting the uttermost 
parts of the city with the West Shore depot. The West Shore 
Railroad Company has not contributed one cent to aid it, al- 
thougli any one with half an eye can see that it will increase the 
income of that road $1,000 a year, by making it easy for people 
to come and go. The West Shore did not contribute. It was 
thought it did not know of its construction, until up popped an 
injunction. It seems determined to make it cose the electric 
railroad $1,000 to secme the permission of the West Shore Com- 
pany to cross its tracks. It has secured the services of two 
very able counsel. None knows better than they do to make a 
good case last as long as possible at the expense of the litigants. 

The people of Kingston may be blind after 4 o'clock, but they 
have not been charged with having the blindness of the day 
before come over to the next, as it evidently does with the West 
Shore people. For see! the Mayor is in with the trolley people. 
The chairman of the railroad committee in the Common Council 



251 

is attorney for tlie trolley company. Maybe the West Shore 
people before the year is out will go down on their knees to the 
Common Council for the privilege of blocking both the thoroiigh- 
fares between up and down town with their freight trains until 
a town meeting of profane people is collected on each side. 

The Rhinebeck ferry is another institution. It charges 13 
cents for a live man, 13 cents for a corpse and 13 cents for a 
dressed hog— wonderful uniformity. The Poughkeepsie ferry 
does this work for half price, and so induces the people from the 
Ulster county side to trade at Poughkeepsie. The high tariflf on 
our ferry is to protect Rhinebeck people from the extortion of the 
Rondout merchants. The fact is, the Rhinebeck ferry is op- 
erated by long distance telephone from Albany. 

Thus far, I seem to be in a complaining mood; but I do not 
want to be censorious. These are all public improvements and 
are within the scope of my subject. How could I speak of them 
othei-wise? They are certainly not operated in sympathy with 
the Kingston merchants and business men. They are not op- 
erated by Kingston men. 

I thus disclose the logic of my opening. The railroads lead- 
ing to Kingston, in fact all roads and means of transportation 
Bhould be kept as much as possible under control of our citizens. 
Kingston is the largest station on the line of the West Shore. 
It is the gateway of the Catskills. It was once and soon will he 
again the leader in business and political influence in the state. 

In reviewing this history, it is proper to refer to the fact that 
it was a creature of Dutch enterprise. From 1614 to 1663 the 
Dutch were dominant in politics and business. With a landing 
at Wilbur they had extended settlement through Hiu'ley, Mar- 
bletown, Rochester and Wawarsing. In 1777 the place was 
large enough to lose 311 buildings by a single fire, and the towns 
of Hurley, Marbletown, Rochester and Wawarsing had a popula- 
tion nearly as large as they have at present. A blast furnace 
at Napanoch sent out cutlery and steel blooms to Sheffield in 
England. A tanning and currying factory sent calf skins to the 
Antilles. One merchant in Green street, in Kingston, frequently 
imported an entire cargo of New England rum. (Laughter.) Up 
to the last date there was no dock at Rondout and Delaware 
county was referred to as being as far from Kingston then aa 



252 

Darkest Africa is now. The ga-OAvtli of Kingston was from her 
trading allies in Hurley, Marbletown, Rochesiter and Wawarsing. 

This trade of late years has been declining. It is going 
from us. Tt is in the power of the Kingston merchants and 
business men to retain possession of all their old friends and 
allies and bring them back to their old family in the Esopus. 
It is this project that is the main subject of my speaking tonight. 
Have I not approached it fairly and logically? 

The building of a railroad from Kingston to Ellenville is not 
a new subject. Such a road will shortly be built. It will not 
cost more than .$200,000. It is a scheme with life today in the 
hands of people avIio will not be in sympathy with the merchants 
and business men of Kingston. It is a project that Kingston 
is able to handle. Her citizens have adequate means. The 
material was never so cheap. Laboi* is plentiful. I am willing 
myself to lead or to follow in the enterpiise. Looking all about 
me I can find nothing in the field of active enterprise so full of 
promise of success. I can see nothing that will bring to the 
projectors so much local gratitude. "Whoever ha® ambition to 
connect himself with a work in which conquest will make glory 
can find no better field of labor. 

Peace hath hei- victories nO' less renowned than war. 



OUR FIRST GOVERNOR. 

Anniversary, 1894. 



The 117tli anniversary of the inauguration of George Clinton 
as first Governor of the state of New York was fittingly cele- 
brated at the Senate House last night. There was a large at- 
tendance of citizens and the exercises were of a highly interesting 
nature. At a few minutes before 8 o'clock the members of 
Pratt Post, No. 127, G. A. R., headed by a drum corps, marched 
from their headquarters on Wall street to the Senate House 
grounds, where the celebration took place. The exercises con- 
sisted of music by the drum corps and addresi&es by Prof. Egbert 
Lewis and Hon. William Lounsbery, both prominent Grand Army 
men. Wiltwyek Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolu- 
tion, had charge of the celebration in conjunction with Pratt Post 
and the members of the Luapter were nearly all in attendance. 
The main address of the evening, delivered by Mr. Lounsbery, 
Avas in part as follows: 

Ladies and Gentlemen:— I feel flattered by yom- imitation to 
speak to you this evening. I shall do so in a line flattering to 
the place and the people who are your ancestors — ^the ancestors 
of the intelligent audience gathered her to commemorate this day — 
the day most important in the annals of the Empire State. I 
propose to demonstrate the fact that the settlement by the Dutch 
in the Esopus was earlier in point of time; was planned mth 
more practical wisdom, was carried on with more business sa- 
gacity and led to more beneficent fruition tlian lae settlement 
by the Pilgiims in Massachusetts Bay in New England. 

It was in 1G09 that Hendiick Hudson entered the river tliat 

83 



354 

now bears his name, a beautiful river — so straig.^^ as to be a 
direct artery of commerce; so deep as to be an arm of the sea; 
BO long as to be a fit region for an empire; so beautiful and so 
salubrious as to be an Eden. It is only in later geograpliical 
learning that it was called the Hudson. The early settlers for 
years called it the North River, because the settlers on Man- 
hattan Island distinguished it from the East River. Upon its 
banks were the settlements in the Esopus of which our City of 
Kingston was the principal nucleus and Beaverwyck which clus- 
tered about Albany. 

The settlement in the Esopus is ilie one of which I speak. It 
was named after a river in Holland. It was selected for settle- 
ment because of the rich lands alluvial of the washing of the 
mountains upon either side. Commencing in 1814, six years be- 
fore the landing of the Pilgiims, it igrew rapidly. It had a 
beautiful harbor at the mouth of the Twaalfskill, easily approach- 
able from the bade country along the natural descent of that 
stream, and successful trade with the chief commercial city on 
Manhattan Island, made a rapid growth in population. It was 
the chief attraction of the emigrant, and soon outstripped in con- 
sequence the other settlements of the New World. 

From 1609 to 100.3, a period of about half a eentiu-y, here had 
been great progress. Settlement had extended to the New Dorp, 
which is now Hurley, had gone beyond to MarbletoAVii and Wa- 
warsing. The hegira to New Paltz had taken place, the Indians 
had been subjugated into treaties of peace, farmsi were under cul- 
tivation, schools were inaugurated, the town was fortified, ships 
went from the settlement on regular voyages so far as the nations 
then engaged in commerce. It was a happy abode of civilized 
men and women, with churches and preachers. As peaceful as 
the Home of Evangeline, painted by the beautiful fancy of the 
poet Longfellow. 

In 1663 the rulers were changed from Dutch to English; but 
the people did not change. They took no gi'eat heed of the 
difi'erence between the magistrates of the Dutch West India Com- 
pany and the Duke of York. They went forward marrying and 
giving in marriage. The young took up the tools which fell 
from the grasp of the old for another century, which brings ua 
to the new revolution of 1776. 



255 

Tlie first fifty years was a period in whicli the settlement was 
ruled by a eoinniercial league. The second period was under 
colonial regiilations. The settlers during all this period cared 
little for politics. They pursued the even tenor of their ways. 

The revolt against colonial oppression had its first expression 
in a protest against a tax on tea. This did not come from the 
Dutch settlers in the Esopus. Their took their tea with solid 
Dutch comfort, giving little thought to the tax. The merchants 
of Manhattan made no active ell'ort for free trade. When the 
British red coats were di-iven from Boston by their defeat at 
Bunker Hill and the pressure of the little army of General Wash- 
ington, they came to Xew York and landed there without oppo- 
sition and occupied the city with the acquiescence of the Eng- 
lish' settlers and A\ithout armed resistance from the Dutch mer- 
chants. The British officers waltzed with the ladies and the 
soldiers hobnobbed with the people of the city. New York city 
took no part in the early struggle for American independence. 

The place where we are now gathered was the central point 
of treason to British control. The Committee of Safety sat here 
and became the central figure of the confederation of the colonies 
and the movement towards the creation of the independence of 
the state under- the new constitution. 

George Clinton a native of Ulster, was elected the firs-t Gov- 
ernor of the state, and on the 30th day of July, 1777, the Com- 
mittee of Safety having ascertained his election declared the fact 
and proclaimed George Clinton the Governor of the State of New 
York and the Commander-in-Chief of the army and navy, and 
concluded with the expression "God Save the People." This act 
was done at Kingston by Kingston men, and this act we cele- 
brate today. It is the most momentous act in ihe history of 
the state. Feeble in its inception, it was the beginning of the 
great Empire State. What great consequences have flowed from 
it! What beneficent rawults have spnmg from this feeble be- 
ginning! Amongst the empires of the world today, the Empire 
State has achieved a place in the foremost rank. It is the 
Empire State. I can invite any of its people to sit down with 
us and participate in the glory of this achievement. But to this 
City of Kingston is the pride of the beginning. To the eettle- 
ment in the Esopus is due the glory of the fir^ beginnings of the 



256 

gi-eat work. Beside it the landing of the Pilgi-ims cea-ses to be 
an important factor. The eloquence of Patrick Henry in the 
Virginia Assembly had its consequence. The struggle of the con- 
tinental troops added its share to the sacrifices. The genius of 
General Washington has its lustre. The signature of John Han- 
cock to the Declaration of Independence is a relic. But above 
all, for direct consequences for good, stands the deed of our 
forefathers in Esopus, giving birth to' the greatest state in the 
cluster that gathered about the constitution of the new American 
republic. The practical outcome of Dutch sagacity was the 
gieat factor in this supreme work in the structure of the temple 
of liberties. 



THE WILBUR FAIR OPENED. 



The fair at the Churcli of the Holy Name, Wilbur, was opened 
on Christmas night with appropriate ceremonies, intersj^ersed 
with music. Father Ward made an introductory speech. There 
was a goodly attendance present to hear Hon. William Louns- 
bery, who was introduced as one of the City Fathers, and spoke 
as follows: 

"Ladies and Gentlemen and my little friends, the children: 
There is nothing which gives so much pleasure, as the pleasing of 
others. This fact emphasizes and gives positive proof of the 
value of the Christmas festivities. They are twice blessed — 
blessing those who receive and much more blessing those who 
give. Here are the children with bright faces and the enthusiasm 
of youth. Here are the parents who feel a thrill of pleasure 
when the children rejoice. 

'Here woman reigns, 
The mother, sister, wife, 
Strew with fresh flowers, the narrow way of life.' 

"Who can resist the sweet sovereignty of woman — training the 
young to a healthy citizenship? 

"I have been invited hero as a City Father — an Alderman of 
the Eighth AVard. I lately rode, in the West Shore train lor 
half a mile tiirough the ward, and looked out upon its surface, 
broken willi rocks, and pierced by a tunnel under yonder high 
hill. I thought of its three miles in extent, and its three thous- 
and inhabitants— excellent j)cople, inhabiting a goodly territory. 
If I were King 1 would want no more and no uctter people. 
'Friendship is its inhabitant; domestic affection is its ioliabitajit; 



258 

love is its inhabitant.' Those gathered here tonight are of the 
good people of the country. I wish you Merry Christmas. I 
commend you to the full enjoyment of this Fair and the festivi- 
ties that belong to this Holy week of sympathies in charitable 
work. I have been invited here by Father Ward — the father of 
this people in their religious works. There is by law no union 
of church and state. The two functions are not allowed by 
statute; but they may yet work together in a common cause: 
"To exalt man's generous aim to all diviner deeds; to chase each 
partial piu-pose from his breast; and thi-ough the mists of pas- 
sion and of sense; and through the tossing tide of chance and 
pain to hold his course imfaltering.' They may work together 
to make a higher grade of citizenship — to make, where the people 
are the sovereigns, a higher conception of religious duty, and a 
higher conception of political virtue. They may together aid to 
preserve the old landmarks of civil and religious liberty con- 
ceived by our forefathers when they established the American 
Union of the states." Christmas, 1896. 



JUN 17 ^^0^ 



